Many Injustices still Plague Women and Girls
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Blog by Justice Promoter Kelly Litt[/caption]
During my time with the Dominican Leadership Conference NGO to the United Nations, I learned about the numerous injustices plaguing women and girls in our world today. From human trafficking to forced child marriage to gender based violence and lack of educational and career opportunities, women around the world are discriminated against and targeted for their mere gender.
Even in the United States, where many believe women are provided endless opportunities, the disparity is clear. It seems we grow closer and closer to breaking through the “glass ceiling,” but fall short. While women are receiving more college and graduate degrees than men, and are often the bread-winner for their family, economic equality is still missing and poverty still disproportionately plagues women. According to the Institute for Women’s Policy and Research, “in 2015, female full-time, year-round workers made only 80 cents for every dollar earned by men, a gender wage gap of 20 percent,” and this statistic is even worse for Latina women and women of color.
As seen recently, the political glass ceiling is especially hard to break through. Only 104 women serve in Congress out of the 535 total seats which amounts to only 19.4% despite the fact women make up half of the population.
International Women's Day is March 8th
Tomorrow, March 8th, is International Women’s Day, a day to celebrate the progress women have made as well as a commitment to continue pushing ahead toward equality. This year, the theme is “Be Bold for Change,” a call on the masses to help forge a better working world – a more gender inclusive world. [caption id="attachment_4582" align="alignleft" width="173"]
#BeBoldForChange[/caption]
As part of the International Women’s Day, women from around the globe will be gathering in New York City at the United Nations for the Commission on the Status of Women. This year’s theme is women’s economic empowerment in the changing world of work. Sr. Judy Morris, OP will be attending the Commission this year as a Dominican representative from North American!
We know the immeasurable positive contribution women have made and continue to make in our world. May we continue to “be bold for change,” continuing to share our perspective, our truth, and our peace.