International Women’s Day (March 8) is a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. It is a day to recognize and honour the contributions of women to society and to raise awareness about the ongoing struggle for gender equality. While progress has been made in recent years, there is still much work to be done to empower women and ensure their full participation in political life.

According to the International Women’s Day (IWD) website, the day is one of the most important days of the year for women and the international community to:
Celebrate women’s achievements

• Educate and awareness for women’s equality
• Call for positive change advancing women
• Lobby for accelerated gender parity
• Fundraise for female-focused charities

In view of these, one of the key goals of International Women’s Day is to promote gender equality and empower women to take on leadership roles in all aspects of society. Despite the progress that has been made in recent years, women are still vastly underrepresented in political leadership positions around the world. According to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, women make up only 24.3% of parliamentarians globally. This lack of representation not only hinders women’s ability to advocate for their rights and interests but also perpetuates the cycle of gender inequality.

Empowering women to participate in politics is not just a matter of fairness; it is also essential for creating a more just and equitable society. Women bring unique perspectives and experiences to the table, and their voices must be heard to address the complex challenges facing our world today.

In the words of Clara Chinwe Okoro, an accomplished TV host, international resource speaker, Founder and Chief Operating Officer, of the Travel Tech Company, My Beautiful Africa, and Executive Producer of Brandworld Media, “Empowerment, for women, goes beyond mere representation or access to opportunities. It involves creating a supportive environment where women can thrive professionally and personally, free from discrimination and bias. It means recognising and valuing their voices, experiences, and perspectives in all spheres of life.” By increasing the political representation of women, we can ensure that policies and decisions are made with the needs and concerns of all members of society in mind.

In order to achieve greater empowerment and political relevance for women, we must take concrete steps to address the barriers that prevent women from fully participating in political life. This includes implementing policies that promote gender equality, such as quotas for women in political leadership positions and measures to combat gender-based violence and discrimination. It also requires creating a supportive environment that encourages women to enter politics and provides them with the resources and support they need to succeed.

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