International Women’s Day: Using “Humanist” instead of Women?

March 8^th, 2011 marks the global centenary year for International Women’s Day – 100 years since the first International Women's Day event was run. More than one million women and men attended rallies in 1911. With that said, I wanted to recap a research quest I went on recently that had me first feeling “punked” and then, near the end, left me feeling accomplished and confident that what I’ve been doing over the past three years, in my job, actually has made me more capable to handle most feminist teaching moments effectively.

After planning, organizing and adverting events for Women’s History Month and more specifically International Women’s Day over the past few weeks, I found myself pondering why a student, I do not know nor have had contact with before, found it necessary to send me an email asking me; “…when is International Men’s Day?”

Now the question seems simple enough and by itself could be a “normal” question that I might receive in my day-to-day job her at the University or in teaching an Intro to Women’s Studies class.  These are typical questions that one receives when you begin focusing on women and men separately in discussions.  Once there is a separation, students seem to be a need to bring the talk back to both as a whole in order to understand them individually.  But as things sometimes happen here in “bible-belt-conservative-USA”, not all questions are innocent in nature and I’m always on the ready for the tactics of “gotcha” politics.

Additionally, in a bit of educational irony, I assumed the person asking this question was capable of doing a search on the Internet so my first response was that of suspicion and wonder.  Did they send me this email to be flippant or sarcastic to counter the fact that there was a celebration of International Women’s Day here in their city?  Or were they asking this in a genuine manner because they understand the gendered conversations of economic, political and social inequalities between women and men?  Either way I found I needed to do some research before I replied.

International Men's Day began on November 19th 1999 in Trinidad and Tobago and was supported by the United Nations. Objectives of International Men's Day include a focus on men's and boy's health, improving gender relations, promoting gender equality, and highlighting positive male role models. It is an occasion for men to celebrate their achievements and contributions, in particular their contributions to community, family, marriage, and childcare while highlighting the discrimination against them. 

The overall tone of the initial question seems to be more about what is the difference between International Women’s day and International Men’s Day?  What sets them apart?  Why do they need to be separate?

With more women in the boardroom, greater equality in legislative rights (although with the current healthcare debate in the US and my state you could say otherwise), and an increased critical mass of women's visibility as impressive role models in every aspect of life, one could think that women have gained true equality.  Which usually leads to the old standby of “Feminism is Dead”.  The unfortunate fact is that women are still not paid equally to that of their male counterparts, women still are not present in equal numbers in business or politics, and globally women's education, health and the violence against them is still being used as a weapon in war and peace. 

Although there have been great strides made over the years, one might think that with 100 yrs of celebration, education and awareness building there might have been more changes to the economic, social and political inequality between women and men.

So, I sent off my careful reply, including some of the above information and received the following email back:

“But I don't understand -- If both support gender equality, then why not throw 'em both out the window and have an international human day? Because that's what we're saying right? We're all people, we'll equal. So doesn't promoting one gender on a specific day defeat the purpose of saying we're all equal?” – Anonymous

I can see where she was coming from in theory but I encouraged her to investigate the words that are used to describe why these events exist in the first place.  I also made it a point to say that along with theoretical hypotheses, it is necessary to include real lived experiences.  I agree both use the term gender equality but what does that really mean for these two days out of the year?

Differences:

• Words used to describe why International Women’s Day exist:

-Bring about opportunity and visibility of women in business and politics
-Increase awareness of unequal pay for equal work
-End violent acts toward women in war and peace
-Increase opportunity for education of young girls and women
-Increase accessibility of health care to young girls and women

• Words used to describe why International Men’s Day exist:

-Promote positive role models
-Promote achievements and contributions to children, family, marriage, community

Even if you take just one part of these descriptors, such as violence against women, on a global level, you are sure to see the higher percentage of women and girls being effected differently than men.

I agree with the student in her desire to use the word “humanist”.  I think it’s a great word to use when trying to help bridge the conversations but I feel until the economical, political and social equality for both women and men are on the same level, humanist has an uphill battle and a longer wait before it becomes second nature in our discussions.

I also agree men are stereotyped and defined into gender roles that are problematic.  This is why I think having an International Men’s Day can be affective.  Discussing gender equality without social and cultural pressures can include; men choosing to be a father or not be a father, a man loving who he chooses to love not based on gender, choosing to work in the home or not work in the home without remorse, choosing a career that is categorized as pink collar and lower pay, and the list continues.  For me, I believe it is critical to point out that these are choices. Choices that men have and can make but face social and cultural repercussions that try to sustain patriarchy.  The difference is that a large number of women and girls are educated early in life to not choose or believe that they don’t have a choice but instead stay with the status quo of social norms.

So, what’s the teaching moment I’ve learned here? When discussing an event that focuses on women’s history and women’s achievements I will always be asked how men are celebrated and valued.  I think that’s what makes us practicing critical thinkers.  The critical part is, reaching solutions to have all parts of diverse people at the table to discuss these achievements so that more women and men can find their voice to move forward towards social justice, reaching and creating a society based on principles of equality and solidarity valuing human rights.

But in the meantime I will set aside celebration to focus on women and women's achievements because even with 100 years behind the history of International Women’s Day atrocities are still being committed towards women based on their sex, women's voices are still being silenced, and women and girls are at the heart of why I do what I do in my life choices.