If I told you that I am a sophomore at George Washington University and a graduate of an all-girls high school, you would think I was celebrating International Women’s Day, right? And I am. However, this has not always been the case. Before interning at Save Darfur, I tried to distance myself from women’s or feminist causes, as I felt the issue was not at the forefront of the human rights struggle. I had attended countless lectures on the suffrage movement and the three waves of feminism, and came to believe that continuing to discuss these issues in the present day was not very productive.
Certainly, my logic was flawed and my time at Save Darfur has proven how incredibly skewed my thinking was. The issue of women’s rights is a grave concern for all and is often indicative of other ingrained illnesses within a society. The endemic violence against women in Darfur makes it increasingly apparent that the maltreatment of women reveals other conflicts at play – struggles for land, political power and recognition. As nations with poor political infrastructure are the countries most culpable of victimizing females, guaranteeing women’s rights are imperative to achieving the peaceful world we all seek.
The mission of International Women’s Day is to promote a world in which women are no longer victim to rape, incest, battery and sexual slavery. All of the world’s inhabitants must recognize that International Women’s Day is, truly, about defending basic human rights. The fight for women’s rights is not only a distinct movement, but one that encompasses all those who wish to redefine our modern world.
Marissa Glauberman is a Campaign Advocacy Intern with the Save Darfur Coalition.
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