136. Women's Day Forgotten by Anglo-Saxon Natives

The Artist of church wall paintings
 Ivana Panizzo

And to think Women’s Day sprang from a demonstration by women in a garments’ factory in New York in 1908

The soprano Dominika Zamara

A century ago- those were the days when women could not vote, difficult to own or inherit property, died in hildbirth, at work and generally prematurely, and were given half the wages of men.   Those were the days when there were real, legitimate reasons to ask, demand equal rights, but now, in today’s world of western society this no longer applies.  Now, the most women can complain about is that not enough top jobs go to women which in comparison is hardly worth throwing oneself on the railroad tracks for.  

Nowadays it is no longer necessary to hold marches to obtain the vote or whatever- now everything is symbolic, a celebration in honour of mothers, teachers, nurses and the female species in general in whatever places this is made manifest, if it is at all; because it seems that International Women’s Day goes by quite unnoticed and there are not many countries where a special tribute, or even just a simple flower is offered to one’s spouse, mother, sister, secretary, or any other female one happens to know.  It’s such a nice gesture, it is a pity it only happens in few countries, Italy being among them.

Italy is particularly rich in recurrences, ceremonies and traditions.  Certainly the Parish Priest of this Church, St. Teresa, Camoli in Sacile is one who proudly likes to give homage to the fairer species of humanity.  Not only has he celebrated this Mass in honour of women but has adorned his Church walls with the figures of modern Saints depicted by a woman’s hand that of Ivana Panizzo from Treviso (photo above).  Monsignor Giuseppe, the Parish Priest, also invited a soprano lyric singer from Poland to enhance with sacred verses moments of the Mass, namely Dominika Zamara (photo above).  He had a basket waiting in the wings too full of mimosa, the  yellow plant which flowers in March, traditionally offered to ladies on Women’s Day all over Italy.   Such was this Priest’s way of demonstrating his appreciation for what women are, do and have done.  As he says, one good mother is worth a hundred teachers.  

On this day women here in Italy gather together and plan on a day outing, go for dinner, do something special together, such varies depending on what each group decides upon.  Nowadays, Women’s Day is basically a means of showing appreciation for women which is not a thing one should easily sneer at, it is after all, an achievement.

But such events are a long way from the origins of why such a day was established in Copenhagen in 1911 to which we should say thank goodness.  However, there is one part of the world that a woman does not know what it means to be appreciated, honoured and praised.  And we all know which part of the world that is, that which is not ours.

At the same time it is disheartening to see that our part of the world has more or less turned its back on the original meaning of International Women’s Day since there are parts of the world where women are slaves, are disfigured, stoned to death for sex “offences”, not allowed to marry by choice, not allowed to drive, show their faces, go to work or even talk to whom they wish: where their private parts are cut, spliced and sewn up so as to prevent them feeling sexual pleasure.... and we dear ladies of the west, worry because the percentage of top jobs are not 50/50 with those of men? In comparison to what our counterparts are made to endure we should be ashamed of ourselves for doing nothing on their behalf on International Women’s Day.

Defending the rights of these women has nothing to do with religion, feminism, faith, race or nation- this has all to do with the stupidity of those men that enforce, allow and do nothing to prevent such ignominious abuse of women.  

In the year 2011 falls the centenary recurrence of International Women’s Day- we women who are free must shout and demonstrate to the world what we think of the suffering of those women who are kept in such conditions.  Indeed this is why International Women’s Day was instituted, this a cause worth throwing ourselves on the railroad tracks for.  Never mind the wine and dine and pretty flowers of it all- a more urgent mission calls- the defence of the silent ones.