The Fight For Women's Rights On The Other 365 Days Of The Year

The Global community has just celebrated International Women's Day for the 105th time! So what happen's on every other day of the year?

1. International Conferences take place

Conferences like the Commission on the Status of Women. This is the key principal global policy-making body dedicated exclusively to gender equality and the advancement of women and girls. Every year, in March, representatives of UN Member States gather in New York to evaluate progress on gender equality, identify challenges, set global standards, and formulate concrete policies to promote gender equality and the advancement of women and girls worldwide.

2. Speeches are given...

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The actress and UN Goodwill ambassador launched the #HeForShe campaign with a speech that sent shockwaves around the world in September 2014. She was able to eloquently express some of the felt consequences of gender inequality we all experience.

3. The Global Gender Gap Report is launched

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This report, published in October each year, tries to understand the differences between men and women over time, focusing on health, education, economic participation and political empowerment. It highlights the Nordic countries as the most gender equal countries in the world. You can read the 2015 report here.

4. Laws change

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On the 20th January 2016 a landmark ruling was made in Zimbabwe, banning child marriage and raising the minimum age at which both men and women can marry to 18. These changes in law are complemented National Action Plans on Women, Peace and Security.

5. Campaigns fight for gender justice

To mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, Progressio, an international development charity, took a campaign to London’s streets. By photographing an outline of a woman’s body in front of 16 landmarks, they aimed to bring an issue that often goes unnoticed, undocumented and remains hidden, into the city’s political and cultural centre.

Part of the campaign involved asking the public to write to their MPs to ask them to take a stand against gender-based violence, so taking photographs near the Houses of Parliament had particular pertinence.

6. Feminists publish literature to capture the public imaginiation

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Feminist writer and comedian Caitlin Moran, Lena Dunham and Laura Bates are among some of the feminist authors who've written personal and hilarious texts to share their experiences of being young women in the 21st century.

7. Women stand up

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In March 2015 the Women's Equality Party was launched. The Party's mission statement opens with: "Equality for women isn't a women's issue. When women fulfill their potential, everyone benefits. Equality means better politics, a more vibrant economy, a workforce that draws on the talents of the whole population and a society at ease with itself"

8. Global institutions make the links between development and gender

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The 2012 World Development Report recognized that by expanding women's agency - their ability to make decisions and take advantage of opportunities is key to improving their lives as well as the world. This report represents a major advance in global knowledge on this critical front.

9. Young women rise

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Over half the world is under 30. Young women everywhere are taking on the daily struggle of patriarchy and fighting for greater equality as they start to shape the future of their world. Malala is an example of one of the women who put their life on the line. Thousands of girls like her are also fighting, right now, in their own ways.

10. Men and boys join the fight

Mac Bain McKandawire is the Executive Director of Youth Net and Counselling (YONECO). YONECO was established in September 1997 to respond to the needs and challenges affecting youth and children in Malawi. YONECO registered with the National Youth Council of Malawi (1996) Act in 1998, Trustees Incorporation (1962) Act in 1999 and NGO Board (2000) Act in 2003. In October 2000, YONECO started to work on issues of women as a demand driven activity, following the need to respond to the child rehabilitation. YONECO has since grown to be one of the very strong local NGOs that respond to matters of youth, women and children.