International Women’s Day (March 8) has been around since 1908 as a global celebration of women’s achievements and gender parity.
But despite its annual reminder of the importance of equality, the world enters 2017 with still bleak and shocking treatment of women and girls.
Women are being raped and slaughtered in many countries. The torrent of refugee immigration to Europe leaves women and their children living day-by-day in wretched poverty with very little hope for a better future.
In some African countries, women living in destitute circumstances watch their babies suffer and die from a simple lack of clean drinking water. Across the world in Asia, little girls are sold into prostitution when parents can no longer feed them.
Here in North America, the United States has just elected to its presidency, one of the most powerful positions in the world, a man who has disparaged women.
In Alberta the president of the Brooks Big Country Oilmen’s Association put Premier Rachel Notley’s face on a target during a golf tournament. A video posted online showed a golf cart running down the target.
Every day somewhere women and girls are hurt or smacked with discrimination.
Fortunately there are millions of grassroots individuals shining a beacon of hope that one day men, women and children will be treated with equal respect.
The St. Albert Baha’i, leaders in this movement, once again views the positives by celebrating the 21st annual International Women’s Day on Saturday, March 4. They are asking the community at large to nominate women who go above and beyond to improve the lives of those around them.
“Our goal is to support women and help them further develop their capacity to serve the world. They are already doing it, but we want to encourage more people to become involved by celebrating their actions,” said selection committee member Mitra Taef.
She added that women are the unsung heroes in our lives whether mothering, caring for parents and the aged, working a full-time job, volunteering, mentoring or being the stop-gaps every community needs to fulfil its destiny.
The St. Albert Baha’i hopes people will nominate women who display generosity of spirit, courage, creativity, determination, steadfastness, leadership, enthusiasm, love, compassion and other virtues.
And it can be any field extending from the arts, sciences, health and education to politics, youth empowerment, social justice, native affairs and beyond.
Nominations are open to residents living in St. Albert, Morinville and Sturgeon County and will close Saturday, Feb. 4.
Forms are available at www.stalbertbahai.org or by emailing [email protected] or calling 780-459-4060.
