International Women’s Day 2013: Taking a Moment to Pause and Reflect5 March 2013 By Dr. L S Spedding

As has been mentioned in previous articles, the celebration of the UN recognised International Women’s Day, is noteworthy in allowing the opportunity to reflect the progress that has been – and continues to be – made in the cause of fairness and gender equality. This year the theme is the gender agenda – gaining momentum.  Each year around the world, International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8. According to the official website www.internationalwomensday.com, thousands of events occur not just on this day but throughout March to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women. Organisations, governments, charities, educational institutions, women’s groups, corporations and the media celebrate the day. Many groups around the world choose different themes each year relevant to global and local gender issues. By way of information set out on the website we can recall the UN selected themes – the previous United Nation International Women’s Day themes – as follows:

• 2012: Empower Rural Women – End Hunger and Poverty
• 2011: Equal access to education, training and science and technology
• 2010: Equal rights, equal opportunities: Progress for all
• 2009: Women and men united to end violence against women and girls
• 2008: Investing in Women and Girls
• 2007: Ending Impunity for Violence against Women and Girls
• 2006: Women in decision-making
• 2005: Gender Equality Beyond 2005: Building a More Secure Future
• 2004: Women and HIV/AIDS
• 2003: Gender Equality and the Millennium Development Goals
• 2002: Afghan Women Today: Realities and Opportunities
• 2001: Women and Peace: Women Managing Conflicts
• 2000: Women Uniting for Peace
• 1999: World Free of Violence against Women
• 1998: Women and Human Rights
• 1997: Women at the Peace Table
• 1996: Celebrating the Past, Planning for the Future
• 1975: First IWD celebrated by the United Nations

There is no doubt that we can demonstrate an empathy with these themes and join hands in our expression of support to promote positive change. Indeed this is even more possible in view of the incredible technological progress that has enabled global networking to be available to so many. Yet the question remains whether as individuals we are able to put ourselves in – and fully understand – the position of others who in this world live in very different circumstances. Can we – as perhaps busy international women lawyers – pause to reflect meaningfully the issues that still persist in so many jurisdictions and the conditions that create tragedy and human suffering in so many ways? Returning to our own lives and current circumstances, can we work together to empower others – even one other – and inspire them toward a more positive, happy and healthy life?
We all have our priorities- regional and local – as can be seen from the list of previous themes around the world also found on the website as follows:

• Canada, Status of Women (Federal Gov): Strong Leadership. Strong Women. Strong World: Equality
• Australia, UNIFEM: Unite to End Violence Against Women
• Australia, Queensland Government Office for Women: Everything is possible
• Australia, WA Department for Communities: Sharing the Caring for the Future
• UK, Doncaster Council: Women’s Voices and Influence
• UK, Welsh Assembly Government: Bridging the Generational Gap
• UK, Accenture: Stretch Yourself: Achieving 50:50 in the boardroom by 2020
• USA, IBM: Women@IBM: Success in the Globally Integrated Enterprise

Meanwhile – as we consider these ongoing global concerns that we are so aware of in this information age – we can also usefully return to basics and delight in the profound diversity of the planet. We can strive to make positive change in our own very individual way, in our own lives and in the lives of others, without expectation. According to many published theses, including those set out in books such as Templeton’s Worldwide Laws of Life, it is helpful to consider the enduring impact of perennial values and encourage the implementation of eternal values as defined in ancient truth.
According to various findings in Templeton’s Worldwide Laws, the vision of realistic and beneficial long-term changes that may result from this implementation is that ‘society functions at its most effective’. Bearing this in mind we should perhaps pause also amid the hectic busy lifestyle that may often overwhelm us and seek more simple priorities and solutions in our – professional and personal  – lives.  We should, I believe, pause in our quest for the achievement of set goals and so called successful results and instead make every effort, do our best and then detach in a calm and positive manner. We should be less hard on ourselves and let life flow a little more, valuing each moment in a spirit of gratitude for who we are and honouring the gift of our lives.  It may be just as important to do a small act of kindness that seems to go unnoticed as to hit the headlines. Therefore on this upcoming International Women’s Day I would urge us all to find a moment to take a deep breath, perhaps sooth ourselves with some time in nature and celebrate what we consider – in our individual roles and in our collective existence – to be life’s true purpose and meaning.