The Importance of International Women’s Day

The Importance of International Women's Day

Please be aware the following post contains messages of suicide ideation, murder and SA. 

What began as an extremely positive beginning to the week in celebration of the magnificent women surrounding us in our life, quickly took a turn.

8th of March. A day celebrated by women worldwide in all walks of life, it was a reminder of how hard women before us fought for the rights we have today, and how women are still fighting to protect those rights every single day. We salute every woman before us, those who are among us, and those yet to come…

We all saw and took part in the posts of celebration, we wished one another a happy day as you would on any other day of celebration, but issues quickly arose which reminded us why this day exists in the first place.

I am sure most of us followed the recent news regarding the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and what many regarded as an “explosive” interview which shook the monarchy and all media outlets to its core, however, one part stood out to most of us. 

During that interview, the Duchess admitted that she struggled with suicide ideation during one of the lowest points of her pregnancy. What should have been the most beautiful experience for both her and the Duke, became their greatest ordeal and struggle. She explained she felt that she was afraid of herself and described a struggle that many have faced. 

What should have led to worldwide support, respect, and acceptance, became something much more sinister that no one could have predicted.

News outlets and significant members of the media published that they “did not believe her”. Whilst the Duchess may not ever see most of the accusations. Many others will. People all around the world are struggling with the emotions the Duchess admitted she had felt at some point, and many of them will see those posts. They will see the accusations. And they may never speak up.

People who previously believed that they could speak up if they were suffering have now been pushed back into silence.

Samaritans recently published that “The rate for females under 25 has increased by 93.8% since 2012, to its highest level in 2019.”

As much as social media can be an amazing tool to help and support one another, let us not forget that it can be extremely damaging in every sense of the word and it is important to be mindful.

Another tragic situation that many of us have been following is the tragic disappearance of Sarah Everard a 33-year-old marketing manager who disappeared on the 3rd of March. Recent disturbing details have emerged that she was last seen leaving her friend’s home in Clapham at around 9pm. She was last caught on CCTV wearing a bright green jacket, black and white trousers, and a white hat.

The developments have caused outrage and uncertainty whereby a police officer by the name of Wayne Couzens was arrested on the 9th of March on suspicion of kidnap (accurate as of 11/3/21). This has led to scrutiny and questions of who we can trust and how a young woman wearing bright clothing at 9pm in a busy area can vanish into thin air.

One woman is famous worldwide and a member of the British Royal Family and the other is a graduate from Durham University working in marketing who has a family, friends and partner who love her and deeply wish for her reappearance. But they are both victims. 

It does not matter how educated you are, how much money you have, or what clothing you wear. Women all around the world are high risk. And that is why International Women’s Day exists. Yes, celebrate yourself, your friends, and the women around you. But threat is very real, and it can happen to anyone. 

Keep safe and if you feel affected by any of the themes mentioned, please do not hesitate to contact us, or alternatively call one of the numbers below… because you matter.

CALM (daily, 5pm to midnight) – 0800585858

Mind (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm) – 03001233393

Samaritans (free 24-hour helpline) – 116123

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