Much has been written, surmised and debated about women’s rights. At some point in the feminist movement, it was suggested, possibly by a man, that women had gone too far. Others might say not far enough. It is all up for debate.
Feature by Jean Hill
International Women’s Day is a global event celebrated annually in March. There is focus on issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women.
There are some gains. Women’s football in the UK and England has burgeoned its way into the halls of fame. At The Best FIFA Football Awards 2022, held in February 2023, Mary Earps won the Best Women’s Goalkeeper award; and Sarina Wiegman won the Best Women’s Coach award. Mary Earps plays for Manchester United and England. Sarina Wiegman is head coach for England.
After the “first golden age” of women’s football occurred in the United Kingdom in the 1920s, with one match attracting over 50,000 spectators, The Football Association instituted a ban from 1921 to 1970 in England. The ban disallowed women’s football on the grounds used by its member clubs. The explanation from the FA Council: “The game of football is quite unsuitable for females and ought not to be encouraged.”. Interesting.
Gender equality in pay is still a work in progress. It does not seem to be progressing at great speed either. Small gains.
The government declares great gains in referring rape cases to the Crown Prosecution Service in 2022: up 97 percent. This sounds amazing until reality impacts and it emerges that only just over 1% of rape cases reported to the police were being prosecuted in 2021. So a rise to 2% indicates much work still to do. It would be impossible to imagine the further distress that victims of rape feel when their cases are dropped. Worth mentioning that there does seem to be a positive change in the police’s attitude towards violence against women. High profile cases, some involving police officers, have made an impact and changed attitudes for the better, hopefully.
More women run businesses in UK than they used to do. The figure (estimated) was 17% 4 years ago: now increased to 32%, (estimated). Women tend to run small businesses; men larger enterprises. Definitely progress though.
There are 225 women presently elected as Members of Parliament in the UK. This represents around 35% of parliamentary members, so men still in the majority but the gap is closing at each general election.
International Women’s Day is a great opportunity to celebrate the great contribution that women make to society as a whole. The sky is the limit.
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