Every woman's right is everyone's fight

IN THE LAST several years, several people have tried to question the International Women's Day, which is celebrated globally on Sunday. Often, it is men who ask whether there is even a need for such a day.

FOR WOMEN, it is a shocking question. Because yes, there is still much to fight for. We may not be doing it in the same way as in the 1960s, but today's women all over the world are absolutely aware that real equality is still lacking in many places.

WE LIVE in society where the labor market is dominated by men. According to countless studies, far more men than women hold high positions, and this is even despite the fact that more women than men worldwide complete one – or more – educations. Although it is women who have the qualifications, it is they who are paid less, and the job market is still divided into women's and men's professions, which can lead to great frustration between the sexes.

WE LIVE in a society where women still do the majority of the work in a home with children. The mental load lies primarily with women. Here too, studies show that women often do the majority of the unpaid work at home, even when both partners work full time.

WE LIVE in a society where women's health problems are often not taken seriously. Research shows that women's pain is often underestimated in the health system, which may be due to a lack of experience among doctors with women's specific diseases.

WE LIVE in a society where women are more exposed to violence of various kinds. Be it behind the four walls of the home or senseless violence on the streets. For example, figures from the Danish Stalking Center show that around 65,000 women are stalked annually. 63 percent of them report men as their stalkers.

FIGURES FROM The Danish Ombudsman's annual report 2023, which is the latest version available, shows that separations and divorces in Denmark totaled just over 300 cases three years ago, and around 350 cases the year before. It is thought-provoking that divorces have only gone one way during the period when women have gained more and more influence over their own lives. The divorce rate has increased very visibly. Figures from 2020 show that 190 couples were married, but a full 235 couples were divorced.

WITH 116 years behind, it is a bit sad that we still need International Women's Day, but it is there. Inequality for one woman is inequality for all women, so unfortunately it doesn't look like we can wave goodbye to this event anytime soon. Gender inequality is not a thing of the past, and until it is, it's important to continue to mark the day.