I had no idea there was a day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, clearly I have been hiding under a rock. I am lucky to know some amazing women who challenge me, encourage me and love me. I am also grateful for the courage and determination of all the women who came before me.

I have seen some chatter on social media from people getting angry about why there is even an International Women’s Day and mocking liberals for coming up with another holiday (I am staying above the line). In case you wondered it is a collective day so we can celebrate women, unity, advocacy and action. It is also a day to promote gender parity. Women make up half of the world’s population and therefore deserve equal access to health, education, economic participation, earning potential, and political decision-making power. World Economic Forum states “Ensuring the healthy development and appropriate use of half of the world’s total talent pool has a vast bearing on the growth, competitiveness and future-readiness of economies and businesses worldwide”.

As activist, feminist and journalist Gloria Steinem said “The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights”