Praise to the women of our world on this International Women’s Day 2021!

Praise to the women of our world who grow and reap our food crops with little or no pay.

Praise to the women of our world in the health care services who risk their lives daily, fighting to save the lives of our loved ones stricken with COVID-19.

Praise to the women of our world left alone to care for children suffering from debilitating diseases and mental illness.

Praise to the women of our world who sacrifice their dreams and talents to raise their children or care for aging and sick parents.

Praise to the women of our world who struggle to eke out an existence doing low-paid essential work.

Praise to the women of our world who support, defend, uplift, and empower other women and girls.

Praise to the women of our world who, despite the challenges of married life, continue to hold their families together within a loving and nurturing environment.

Praise to the women of our world who work in all levels of our local and national government to bring about the changes we need for a more just and equitable world.

Know that within our wombs, upon our shoulders, and under our nurturing hands rest the past, present, and future of our world.

Know, too, that from the beginning of recorded history, the power of women could not be left to female whims or to chance. Such women power had to be controlled and channeled for the enrichment of the Masters of Our World who hold the fate of both male and female within their grasp.

Know that the survival of our species relies more than ever before on the equal participation of women at all levels of decision-making worldwide.

Over the years, women have made great strides forward towards emancipation, but we are still far behind in gaining true equality with our male counterparts.

Twenty-two countries now have a woman Head of State or Head of Government. One hundred and nineteen countries have never had a woman leader. Only fourteen countries have 50 percent or more women in cabinet positions. At the current rate of progress, gender parity in ministerial positions will not occur before 2077.

Only 25 percent of the world’s national parliamentarians are women, an 11 percent increase since 1995. Only four countries have 50 percent or more parliamentarians: Rwanda (61%), Cuba (53%), Bolivia (53%), and the United Arab Emirates (50%). Nineteen countries have reached or surpassed 40 percent. At the current rate of progress, gender parity in national legislative bodies will not occur before 2063.

United Nations data for women from 133 countries show that women number 2.18 million (36%) of elected members in local government. Only two countries have reached 50 percent participation. An additional 18 countries have more than 40 percent in local government.

Learn more about the state of women in our world in the United Nations Annual Report 2019-2020.

On this International Women’s Day let us “Choose to Challenge” those in power who attempt to silence our voices for an equal and just world for all the peoples of our world.