photo: Lindsey LaMont.
Growing up, the meaning of March 8 has changed a lot for me over the years. When I was younger, Women’s Day was simply when my father brought home flowers for my mother, me and sister, a Soviet tradition that my parents brought with them from Kazakhstan.
Later, as a teenager, it was to feel a sense of brotherhood as I sent my best friends “Happy Women’s Day!” and exchanged words of encouragement with them after another day of browsing high school sexism from the boys in our class.
Today, as an adult, March 8 reminds me to take a moment to reflect on women’s issues close to my heart, whether personal or systemic, while celebrating myself and the women around me. .
Of course, International Women’s Day – now a public holiday in Berlin since 2019 – could have a different meaning for everyone. I was curious to know what other women in Berlin thought about this and I took to my social media to get their opinion.
From personal reflection to critiques of the systemic sexism still going on in Germany, here is what 6 women had to say.
photo: Brianna Santellan
Šárka
Šárka, who also has an ex-Soviet background like me, wrote: “I come from a post-communist country and I still remember the power of this celebration. The slogans about women peacekeepers… wow! But now it only means that to me – a gift from my husband and a gift for my mother. I don’t require it, it’s just like that. Why not?”
Adri
Another iHeartBerlin writer Adri said she doesn’t really celebrate Women’s Day as a public holiday and would prefer more active ways to bring attention to women’s issues.
“It’s nice to know we have a day off now, but it feels like any other random holiday that I haven’t celebrated yet. Take for example what the LPP did last year, they made tickets cheaper for women in order to highlight the pay gap and fight it. Promotions like the one that really highlights the gender gaps are much more powerful than just giving everyone a day off, ”Adri wrote. “I also think Women’s Day is maybe too little, too late. We’ve moved beyond the idea that gender is fixed and binary, so maybe Women’s Day would be a better term.
Peggy
Peggy also doesn’t find that making March 8 a holiday is enough to really make a difference.
“Although having a public holiday for International Women’s Day reinforces Berlin’s claim to be a progressive utopia, it is nothing more than a fig leaf to cover up the lack of attention. and respect by German society for women’s rights, ”she explained.
Some of Peggy’s criticisms of the sexist systems still in place in Germany include contraception, which is not covered by already expensive health insurance, as well as problems with abortion rights.
“Abortion is also an additional cost that women have to bear in the majority of cases,” Peggy wrote. “Which, by the way, is not even legal in Germany – simply decriminalized – and is only available until the 12th week of pregnancy… and is only available after receiving counseling. The abortion was only included in the course of the Charité University Medical Hospital in 2019 there is therefore a serious shortage of doctors capable of performing abortions, and in many parts of Germany women are forced to travel hundreds of kilometers, sometimes to another country, just to access reproductive rights.
Elisa
Elisa hadn’t given much thought to Women’s Day before, but wants to start commemorating the meaning of this day in the future.
“I think even as we become more aware and talk more about issues like the wage gap, sexual abuse and the overall oppression / stigma of society and the media, this is a great opportunity to take advantage of this day. to celebrate and support other women, ”Elisa wrote. “So this year I started to follow an Instagram page which suggests books written by women that focus on social issues and feminism. I wrote the titles that interest me the most so that I can buy them ASAP and spend Women’s Day actively reading and learning. Maybe it could even become my personal Women’s Day tradition.
photo: roya ann miller
Speedwell
Veronica believes it is important not to forget the true meaning of this day and to resist the recent commercialization of women’s empowerment.
“International Women’s Day is a time for me to bring attention to and correct bad stories about women,” she wrote. “The company tried to market this event. However, like the rest of the year, it’s a day to fight, stand up and explain to men that we wouldn’t need an International Women’s Day if only gender equality was achieved.
Lisa
Like many, Lisa also uses this day to reflect on the inequalities that affect women.
“For me personally, Women’s Day is an opportunity to reflect on topics such as women’s empowerment, the gender pay gap, women’s rights, minorities, gender oppression in the world. world, etc. The list goes on, ”Lisa explained. “Of course, it’s the same question as on Valentine’s Day: do we really need a specific date to show a little love for accomplishments that should have happened a long time ago? In my eyes, we do. Of course, women’s rights should be a topic 365 days a year, but since reality doesn’t really serve us for equality, March 8 must speak for itself.
Lisa plans to spend time with her mom, taking the day off to do something fun while thinking about how to “break the patriarchy”.
What do you think of International Women’s Day? Let us know in the comments below!
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