International Women’s Day: MARCH 8, 2017

Oh yes I am wise
But it’s wisdom born of pain
Yes, I’ve paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to, I can do anything
I am strong (strong)
I am invincible (invincible)
I am woman

I Am Woman – Helen Reddy

I don’t necessarily want to run the world, but I wouldn’t mind taking it for a little ride. We’ve come a long way, baby. But, the journey still continues…

Wednesday, March 8th 2017 is International Women’s Day, and this year’s theme as declared by the United Nations is: “Women in the Changing World of Work: Planet 50-50 by 2030.”

International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change, and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities. As the Founder and President of Destination Fabulous, a Las Vegas DMC, I know firsthand the trials and tribulations of running a business, and what it takes to forge ahead in an endeavor that tests not only your business acumen, but your womanhood and self-worth on a constant and continual daily basis. Rewarding and challenging to say the least.

Politics aside, this is a day that has been designated to acknowledge that the world of work is changing, and with significant implications for women. On one hand, we have globalization, technological and digital revolution and the opportunities they bring, and on the other hand, the growing informality of labor, unstable livelihoods and incomes, new fiscal and trade policies and environmental impacts—all of which must be addressed in the context of women’s economic empowerment.

One never notices what has been done, one can only see what remains to be done.
– Anonymous

The idea of the 2017 theme, “Women in the Changing World of Work: Planet 50-50 by 2030,” is to accelerate the United Nations’ 2030 agenda by building momentum for the effective implementation of the new Sustainable Development Goals, especially goal number 5: Achieve gender equality, and empower all women and girls and number 4: Ensure inclusive and quality education for all, and promote lifelong learning. The theme will also focus on new commitments under UN Women’s Step It Up initiative and other existing commitments on gender equality, women’s empowerment, and women’s human rights.

I know, this sounds like heady stuff… and it is. I am not grandstanding. However, I am emphatic on stating and reiterating the following words of our forefathers that regardless of race, color, or creed we should all be unified in agreement that there are certain unalienable human rights that cannot and should not be taken away or denied. In our politically divided world, the targeted goals set forth by the United Nations are unifying and are by no means divisive.

Some key targets of the 2030 agenda:

• By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and Goal-4 effective learning outcomes.
• By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care, and pre-primary education so they are ready for primary education.
• End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.
• Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
• Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early, and forced marriage, and female genital mutilation.

Progress has slowed in many places across the world, so global action is needed to accelerate gender parity. As a mother and businesswoman I implore you to join myself, your fellow colleagues, and leaders from across the world to pledge and take action as champions of gender parity, not only for International Women’s Day, but for every day.

Will you #BEBOLDFORCHANGE?

For International Women’s Day 2017, I’m asking you to #BeBoldForChange. Call on the masses or call on yourself to forge a better working world – a more inclusive, gender-equal world.

“I am grateful to be a woman. I must have done something great in another life.”
– Maya Angelou

I may not be a perfect woman, but I am poised, competent, committed, and am a self-confident, individual who loves life and lives it to the fullest. I am truly a woman of substance with self-esteem. I AM WOMAN.

Be bold for change,
Belinda

Sources:
I Am Woman – Writers: Helen Reddy, Ray Burton, Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
www.un.org
www.internationalwomensday.com
www.lifelovequotesandsayings.com