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Today is International Women’s Day, a campaign dedicated to driving better outcomes for women everywhere.
According to the World Economic Forum, the gender gap won’t close until 2186. But this day calls for men and women to catalyze and #BeBoldForChange in celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women and in declaring bold actions to help progress equality.
Here’s six things you can do to join in today:
1. Find inspiration.
Groups around the world made videos for International Women’s Day to raise awareness of the need for gender parity and to highlight their own support and activity. Watch a few here to feel inspired today.
2. Get educated.
Author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie believes we should all be feminists, rather than raising boys to be masculine. She argues on a TEDx stage that this leaves men with fragile egos and that we then raise girls to cater to those fragile egos—telling girls to have ambition, but not too much. “Why should a woman’s success be a threat to a man?” she asks. Further, sociologist Michael Kimmel makes a practical case on the TED stage for treating men and women equally in the workplace and at home—a win-win, he says, that will result in more opportunity and more happiness for everybody.
3. Embrace your inner girl.
Reflect on the best parts of being a girl, and revel in it today in whatever way you are most drawn to.
4. Find your role model.
Read up on women in the Bible and the rad women who have changed history. Who do you most identify with and aspire to be like? Tell someone in your life who you’ve identified as your role model. Even better, if it’s someone you can contact, write a letter to that person telling her why.
5. Revel in your friendships.
Plan a girls-only outing today—even if it’s just for coffee—and celebrate the women who support you and love every day.
6. Declare your bold action in the area you are most inspired.
Challenge biases and inequality, campaign against violence, forge women’s advancement, celebrate women’s achievement, or champion women’s education. Pledge your commitment to action on behalf of women everywhere with the International Women’s Day campaign.
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