Cover Tatler finds out how women working on female empowerment all year long truly feel about International Women’s Day (Photo: Getty Images)
Tatler finds out how women working on female empowerment all year long truly feel about International Women’s Day (Photo: Getty Images)
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International Women’s Day is a great occasion to remind the world of the importance of advocating for gender equality. But once March 8 is over, what’s truly left of it? Tatler asks its editors and members of the community who work on supporting women all year round
International Women’s Day (IWD), which has taken place on March 8 annually since the late ‘70s, commemorates women’s fight for equality and liberation along with the women’s rights movement.
There is no doubt that this day serves as a great reminder of both women’s achievements and the gender gap that remains pervasive worldwide. It’s a day that offers an enormous amount of resources to raise awareness on violence and abuse against women, reproductive rights, gender equity, healthcare access and much more. It also sheds light on the local and global associations, organisations and communities empowering women, girls and queer people throughout the year—and highlights the power of well-thought-out allyship.
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However—and not surprisingly—most IWD events and initiatives are organised by women and queer people. While offering a stage to highlight crucial issues regarding gender-equality, it also leaves the same leaders, advocates and activists exhausted. Indeed, they are the ones bearing the weight of education and spreading awareness on topics that should matter to all—and all year long.
Here, the Front & Female team gathered opinions from different women from the Tatler community who work with and to support women year round on how they truly feel about International Women’s Day.
- Salomé Grouard, Digital Editor and Front & Female Lead, Tatler Hong Kong
Dr. Rica Cruz, sex and relationships therapist, CEO and co-founder of Unprude
International Women’s Day is a nice reminder, but one day of recognition doesn’t erase the daily struggles women face—at work, in relationships and even in owning their sexual selves. Women are still shamed for being sexual, denied proper sex education and forced to navigate a world where sex is weaponised against them. Real empowerment isn’t just a pink post, it’s about making sure women have real power and agency in this world.
Yes, International Women’s Day is necessary because it gets people talking, but talk isn’t enough—we need action, policies and real change. So, we celebrate today, but tomorrow and every day after, we keep pushing, keep fighting and keep reclaiming the space that is rightfully ours.
Jingjin Liu, founder of Elevate Group
Above Jingjin Liu, founder of Elevate Group
Jingjin Liu, founder of Elevate Group
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For me, International Women’s Day is less about celebration and more about confrontation. If women are 51 per cent of the population but hold just 1 per cent of the land, do 66 per cent of the work but earn only 11 per cent of the pay—how are we still pretending this is progress? It is not a day to post slogans and feel good about incremental change. It’s a mirror. One that asks every single one of us: what systems am I upholding? Whose voices am I silencing? Whose labour am I benefiting from?
Because, if we need an annual reminder that women deserve safety, equity and power, then the work is far from done. Reflection is only useful if it leads to action.
Francesca Ayala, comedienne and founder of ‘Bitches In Stitches’ Manila and Hong Kong
Until we achieve gender parity and it becomes possible for all women to safely take up space and thrive in this world, we must keep celebrating International Women's Day! Women have been overlooked and undervalued for centuries, so I'll take every opportunity there is to celebrate our achievements and call for change.
Even if some of us are focused on empowering women year-round, IWD is a day when our voices are louder. Championing gender equality can be an uphill battle, but International Women's Day reminds us why we do it, and that we're not alone. It brings us together so we can make ourselves heard.
Lindsay Davis, founder of FemTech Association Asia
Above Lindsay Davis, founder of FemTech Association Asia
Lindsay Davis, founder of FemTech Association Asia
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“There is debate as to whether the ‘femtech’ industry should remain distinct or fall under ‘healthtech’. The reality is that women’s health historically has been under-researched, underserved and underfunded. Until we achieve true gender health equity, we must continue to amplify the unique healthcare needs of women, just as we must continue to recognise and address gender disparities more broadly.
International Women’s Day (and Month) can be a powerful opportunity to spotlight the challenges women still face and celebrate their achievements with a unified global voice; however, initiatives should provide tangible ways to #AccelerateAction. Ideas need action to drive impact.”
Salomé Grouard was Digital Editor and Front & Female Content Lead at Tatler Hong Kong. Primarily focused on managing Tatler Hong Kong’s digital platform and content, she also covers gender equality, the music scene and sports through interviews with industry leaders, experts and trendsetters.
Interview highlights include renowned conservationist Dr Jane Goodall, Korean actor Park Seo Jun, singer Jorja Smith, Chinese TV host Yue-Sai Kan, YouTuber Kimono Mom, Japanese rapper Awich, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu fighter Mikey Musumeci.
She has also produced stories on revolutionising sexual wellness in Asia, activism within the surfing community, Asian trans musicians reclaiming their narratives through music and looked at the toxicity of gym culture through the lens of the plus-size community. She also covers music festivals, such as Hong Kong’s Clockenflap and Bali’s Suara.
