A woman's world?

Mar 07

Episode

A woman's world?

We look at women across the globe who have become agents of change.

South Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) members shout slogans during celebrations for the International Women's Day in Seoul, South Korea, 08 March 2012. [Jeon Heon-Kyun/EPA]

Maybe one person can’t change the world, but they can try to change the attitudes in their country. As International Women’s Day approaches, The Stream takes a look at women who are changing minds and laws, and empowering people to take a chance and do something for good for everyone.

In this episode of The Stream, we speak to:

Alyse Nelson @AlyseNelson
President and CEO, Vital Voices Global Partnership
vitalvoices.org

Marina Pisklakova-Parker
Director, ANNA National Center for Violence Prevention
anna-center.ru

Linda Swana @VocesVitalesGua
Guatemalan civil society activist
guateamala.org

What do you think? Tell us in the comments below.

View the story "International Women's Day" on StorifyInternational Women's DayStorified by The Stream· Thu, Mar 07 2013 11:26:55On March 8, the world will celebrate International Women's Day. This year's theme is "The Gender Agenda: Gaining Momentum", which aims to celebrate achievements in gender equality, but also raise awareness about how much there is left to accomplish. Here is a poster campaign promoting key "gender agenda" issues around International Women's Day: EQUALS_posters_A2_low res_Page_02AJstreamMany activists have been increasingly framing women's empowerment not just as a human's rights issue, but as a smart policy choice that leads to demonstrable gains in the human condition:women-statsAJstreamShare this fact of the day: Boosting the education of women is key to reducing child #malnutrition over time. #IWD http://pic.twitter.com/qFNw5ttC6jWFP StudentsWhile this year's theme mainly focuses on promoting government action on women's issues, many netizens contend that for advancing equality, changing mindsets is as important as changing government policies.@ajstream #WomensDay Govt Laws seldom do apply within the walls where women reside,& so,mindset must first be changed.apurva tiwariOne without the other is an all around failure. @AJStreamBrooklyn Middleton@AJStream .laws are not enough to change attitudes if the laws are not grounded in the beliefs of a people.we should win the <3 b4 the brainnii-osah This video uses the example of women's rights in Tunisia to illustrate the ongoing struggle for full equality despite significant achievements:Women's Rights: the Tunisian Experience, thus fartunisialiveThe UN promotes its own theme for International Women's Day. This year the UN theme is “A promise is a promise: Time for action to end violence against women”. In this video, the UN Global Ambassador for Women and Girls, Penny Williams, discusses the theme:International Women's Day Message 2013 - Penny Williams, Global Ambassador for Women and GirlsunwomenaustraliaThis infographic illustrates the prevalence of violence against women across the globe:Violence Against WomenAJstreamActivists seeking to combat violence against women face challenges in many countries. 20 years ago, Marina Pisklakova -Parker created Russia's first hotline and crisis centre for victims of domestic violence. Today her organisation "ANNA Centre" operates 170 centres across Russia and the former Soviet Union. However, the Russian government has yet to pass legislation making violence against women a crime: Russia - ACTING UP - Marina PisklakovahumanrightswatchInternational Women's Day has become a global day for women to mark achievements and challenges, and aims to inspire women into action:Women as Agents of Change - Animated FilmCommonwealthtubeKurdish women rally in Silopi for #InternationalWomensDay chanting "Jin, jiyan, azadî" (Women, life, freedom). #IWD http://pic.twitter.com/qTjnlCcvCDXende Biradostî