OPINION
International Women’s Day (IWD) is a day for celebration, reflection, and advocacy. It’s a moment to honor the achievements of women and to raise awareness about the barriers they continue to face in every corner of the world. However, while it is important to acknowledge how far we’ve come, it is equally essential to confront the pressing issues that persist particularly gender-based violence and the systemic exclusion of women from decision-making processes. These two issues remain a serious obstacle to true gender equality, and they must be addressed with urgency and commitment.
Gender-Based Violence: A Global Crisis
Despite the progress made in various areas of women’s rights, gender-based violence (GBV) remains a pervasive and alarming global issue. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 1 in 3 women worldwide have experienced physical or sexual violence at some point in their lives. Whether it’s domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, or harmful traditional practices like female genital mutilation, GBV is a severe violation of human rights that continues to affect millions of women daily.
What’s even more troubling is the fact that, in many cases, this violence is normalized, trivialized, or ignored. Victims are often blamed for the abuse they endure, or worse, their experiences are dismissed as “private matters.” This systemic neglect perpetuates a culture of violence that discourages women from speaking out or seeking justice.
On International Women’s Day, while we celebrate the achievements of women who have overcome such violence, we must also demand a global reckoning on this issue. Gender-based violence is not just a matter of individual suffering it is a structural issue that requires societal and political action. Governments need to prioritize comprehensive legislation that protects women, ensures access to support services, and holds perpetrators accountable. Communities must also play a role in changing attitudes toward violence, eradicating harmful stereotypes, and supporting survivors.
The Exclusion of Women from Decision-Making
Another critical issue that demands attention on IWD is the continued underrepresentation of women in decision-making roles whether in politics, business, or other spheres of influence. Despite the fact that women represent half of the world’s population, they remain woefully underrepresented in positions of power. According to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, women hold only 26.1% of parliamentary seats worldwide, and even fewer occupy leadership positions in government. In the corporate world, women make up only 6.2% of CEOs in Fortune 500 companies.
This lack of representation isn’t just a matter of fairness—it has real-world consequences. When women are excluded from decision-making, the policies and solutions that affect their lives are often created without their input or consideration. Issues like reproductive rights, childcare, and gender-based violence topics that disproportionately affect women often fail to receive the attention they deserve in policymaking.
Furthermore, research has shown that diverse leadership leads to better outcomes. Countries and companies that have more women in leadership positions tend to have more inclusive and innovative policies. So, the exclusion of women from decision-making isn’t just a disservice to women it’s a missed opportunity for society as a whole.
On International Women’s Day, we should not only celebrate the women who have broken through the glass ceiling, but we should also demand that more opportunities be created for women to take part in shaping the future. Women must be empowered to lead at all levels, and their voices must be heard in every conversation about the future of our societies.
Real Action for Change
While International Women’s Day is a time to celebrate, we must also ask ourselves: What concrete steps are being taken to address gender-based violence and ensure women are included in decision-making processes? A day of social media posts and corporate sponsorships isn’t enough. It’s crucial that we channel the energy of this day into tangible change.
For gender-based violence, this means ensuring that laws protecting women are strengthened and enforced. It means investing in programs that offer support to survivors and prevent violence from occurring in the first place. It means holding perpetrators accountable for their actions and challenging societal norms that perpetuate violence. International Women’s Day should be a call for governments to allocate more resources to tackling gender-based violence and to make lasting, meaningful changes to protect women worldwide.
For women’s participation in decision-making, it means demanding equal representation in politics and leadership roles. It means changing hiring practices, providing equal access to education and mentorship, and creating policies that foster an environment where women can thrive professionally. International Women’s Day should serve as a reminder that true equality means giving women the opportunity to have a say in how their world is shaped.
Conclusion: A Call to Action
As we celebrate International Women’s Day, let us remember that it is not enough to merely acknowledge the progress we have made. The fight for gender equality continues, and it requires real, lasting change. Addressing gender-based violence and ensuring women’s inclusion in decision-making are two of the most urgent tasks we must tackle.
On this day, let’s honor the achievements of women, but let’s also commit ourselves to pushing for the systemic changes needed to build a safer, more equitable world. Women must be empowered to live free from violence and to participate fully in decisions that affect their lives. The work is far from done, but by taking meaningful action, we can make every day a step closer to true equality.
By Ahirirwe Leticia, Communications Officer WoGEM Uganda
