The theme for International Women’s Day 2021 is ‘Choose to Challenge’.

However, whilst it is the theme for International Women’s Day, the need to challenge addresses not just women but us all; for if women of all ages experience

adverse and unjust working conditions, low pay, poverty and violence then it affects, impacts and reflects on us all as workers. As a consequence, it is incumbent on us all for the sake of men, women and children to choose to challenge when and where we can.    

Women’s reality as described above is sadly not unusual. See the message written by the Women’s Council of the San Marcos Peasant Workers Movement, Guatemala, on behalf of the WMCW.  See WMCW message

MCW groups and individuals who responded to the WMCW (World Movement of Christian Workers) enquiry material to reflect on the realities of workers in facing life during a pandemic identified particular issues affecting women. Being undervalued and invisible are certainly descriptions that could be identified with some of the experiences related. Unfortunately, they can be hidden in plain sight; for their work and responsibilities are very visible indeed.  Their roles and skills being considered and labelled as “natural” continue to mask their presence.   

The role of women is well known in the health and social care sectors whether carers, cleaners or office workers and therefore frontline and key workers during the pandemic. They are also the majority of workers in the retail, hospitality and the leisure industries, sectors hardest hit by closures and unemployment. These same work roles are mostly associated with low pay and precarious zero hour contracts.  Poverty has apparently doubled since the pandemic. Again, it is generally women who end up trying to organise the family budget so as to meet overheads and feed the family. Studies indicate that Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic women in the UK are suffering greater financial consequences (Fawcett Society) because they are more likely to be in part-time work, furloughed or losing their jobs. Home schooling too has become another role to add to the needs of the household.

The support usually available to women to juggle all these competing demands is the extended family. Yet, this too has been a support structure cut off by the various tiers or lockdowns we have experienced. For certain women the lockdown has meant suffering more domestic abuse with less opportunity for respite or means of escape. 

“We can all choose to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality.

We can all choose to seek out and celebrate women’s achievements.

Collectively, we can all help to create an inclusive world.”

www.internationalwomensday.com