I hope many of you celebrated The International Women’s Day today, in one way or the other. Congratulations to all, anyway. For the first time in years I went to town for 8 March, and to my surprise there were lots of people.
I have been a feminist since my teens. That is a person who believes in social, political and economic equality. It is not about behaving like a man, as some say, or hating men. In fact meny men are feminsts too of course. I believe the world will be better with equal rights. At least more affluent. A couple of years ago our prime minister told that the women’s efforts in our work force is of greater importance than the oil industry, and we have a lot of oil.
In one way we Scandinavian women have it all. We have education, we have equal rights, and all kinds of positions. But still, women in general have less pay than men, we have less property, there is still sexual violence, and young women feels more pressure than ever to look “right”. But what is this considering the millions of girls who get no education at all, that gets “married” as children, and have nothing to say, never.
This year there were a big discussion in the media the day before 8 March. One politician from the liberal-conservatives accused the womens movement to be sort of selfish, forgetting the women who have little or no eqality at all. Some of them have moved to Norway and other European countries in recent years. That is a big discussion. One that we need to face in years to come, without getting angry with each other. It is too important.
One of the bravest women in Norway today is Amal Aden (32). She came as a refugee from Somalia as a child. Alone. As an outspoken lesbian Muslim she lives with death threats, but she still have much to say. “Many women lives very well in Norway, but equality and freedom of speech does not apply to everyone. The developement does not go in the right direction. More and more young girls think it’s fine that a man can have several wives. I meet constantly young girls who fear the summer holidays and to be sent out of the country to be married against their will.”
I hope the Women’s Day next year will be more aware of these critical issuse. Except for that, I am so happy there are still many people around who want the world to improve. Equal rights is one way to make it happen. There are more photos on this link.
Great photos Bente and interesting to read.
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Thank you Ann. Appreciate it.
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Thanks so much for this look into the solidarity on behalf of woman. What town is this taking place in if I may ask. It’s a lovelyl town I like the architecture.
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This is Trondheim, in central Norway. Since I know you like history I can mention this was our capital between 1030 og 1217, the name was Nidaros then. The cathedral at the back is Nidarosdomen, and the Viking king on the tall monument is Olav Tryggvason. Thank you Ancientfoods.
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Women make the world go ’round.
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Of course, the world needs everybody. Thanks Anneli.
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Reblogged this on houseofmot.
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Very interesting! Good to see the turnout. I have always thought of Scandinavian Woman as being strong in all the best ways!
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I am sure there are strong women all over the world, not to mention in your part. But I think Scandinavian women are much into solidarity and human rights, maybe because we have the means to use energy in this way. And I must confess, there are so many today that believes the rights are there now, no more fights needed. They should not be so sure, and they should look around in this world. Thank you Brightlife.
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I hate to see our political climate which is attempting to take away many of the rights women have struggled to gain. Good to see such a turnout in Norway.
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You could say that also goes for Norway, Gunta. Economic changes can diminish pension rights, and also salaries, and in the end our welfare system, which now is very good. Still a lot to fight for. Thanks Gunta.
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Great to see the support out in the streets. I agree with all you say – some achievements have been made, but there is still a long way to go. I am very glad that younger women are again willing to say they are feminists – it became somehow a dirty word among some a few years ago with some very confused thinking. It is very simple – its just about equality.
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It is still a dirty word for many young women, but maybe not as dirty as it used to be. That is good, even the young are realistic, and with some solidarity. I hope that happens all over. As you say, it is very simple, and important to be aware. Thank you Anna.
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That is an impressive turnout! All strength to them. Happy Women’s Day Bente!.
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Impressive it was, I was so suprised, and happy about it. Happy Women’s Day to you too, Madhu. You do so much for women, and men, in photography!
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I am so glad you underlined the point that many men are feminists. Actually the word seems to being frequently used in a derogatory manner. It is sad when so many assume automatically that women have less rights – to equal pay, freedom of choice, freedom of thought. Amelia
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No use to use the word feminism derogatory, since if implemented it makes things better for all. But of course, feminism is and has been used in different ways and not always to make a common sense. And for some change always feels hard. With lack of feminism even women expect women to have less rights. Thank you Amelia, enjoy your garden, mine is not “around” yet.
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What a nice peaceful march. Is that snow still on the ground?
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Peaceful for sure, except for å couple of visiting Swedish feminists that made some “noise”. They are of the more militant kind at the moment. No snow on the ground in the city right now, but it could happen again. Thank you Jane.
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Great images and nice to read. I’m also a feminist from my 19th, it wasn’t easy that time. And now I don’t know if there is still any interest for the subject in Belgium.
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Then we started in about the same age. I would say it was easy, and at the same time a lot of opposition or people with different views. Sorry to hear there is no interest in Belgium. There is still much to be improved. Thanks Mijnnikonenik.
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Women have come a long way. The world over. But there are still many cultures that say a women’s place is at home (in servitude to the menfolk).
I’m a great believer in equality of the sexes, but well aware of the hidden prejudices and lower salaries in some sectors of society – western and third world.
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Totally agree Vicki. Also about the hidden prejudices and lower salaries. Religion has so much to do with keeping women down, but that is not the only reason. Much to be done, especially in some societies, but also in all. Thank you for your comment.
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With the Net, we may able to see more and more hidden facts of the hidden societies or nations or cultures.
But we are non the wiser about its hidden mechanism. Once I heard an observation from a woman used to
work in a Moslem country that the superficially a sub-dominant women / wives are having a social system to
manipulate men / husbands by implying the rumor, reputation, dominant opinion circulating among the
women’s network. —– So, you might say, if that is the case, why such country hasn’t been changed ? = as
a matter of fact, in those society, women / mothers are much more conservative. (no mother want see their
daughter to enjoy their sexual freedom etc etc)
Women’s issue is much more complicated than what we can see.
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You are so right. Women can go around sub-domination in many ways, and that is good. But it is obviously not enough, and certainly not helped when women themselves sometimes and in some places transmit opression, from mother to daughter. That happens too, and nobody benefits from it, not even the men of course. Equal rights, equal value, I think the goal is quite easy.
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Well Done! Beautiful mobilization for the day of the woman. Let us be vigilant … all is not won;-)
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Well said Pierrettej: let us be vigilant…all is not won!
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Thank you for this post! that’s a very important subject which should not be overlooked
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Thank you for seeing and saying this this Ekaterina.
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Great post.There is a lot of and a better life. work to do for giving woman all over the world the respect they need.
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That is for certain Naturfreek. We all need respect, but we are not all getting it.
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Bravo! It is only in this new 21st century A.D. that the world is beginning to understand how miserably oppressed millions of women still are throughout the world, but especially in many of the countries that are so heavily influenced by Islam. It will not change until women stand up en masse around the world and shout “Enough! No more!” When they do, they might be surprised to see the large numbers of men who stand with them.
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There is still a way to go in the Western world, but as you say our problems are small comperad with millions of other women. Some parts of Islam have turned in a reactionary way the last decades, and that is especially harmful to women. You even see this in many of the immigrant societies in the West. Or should I say, not the least in these societies. I am waiting for the womens organisations to start working for the women who endures the biggest oppression. I know there are many men who will stand with them, in so many countries, and of course we must stand together. Thank you Jerry.
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so many are there 🙂
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Yes, so many. I was surprised too. Thank you Joshi.
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Wonderful post, Bente. You echo my feelings exactly. All the best to you.
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Thank you Carissa, and I am glad we echo on this subject. All my best to you too.
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Nice post, Bente, as always.
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Thank you very much Rudolf.
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Flott artikkel, Bente!
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Tusen, tusen takk, Dina!
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What a fabulous turn-out Bente and I very much look forward to seeing such crowds one day in Afghanistan, Syria, so many places where young girls and boys don’t have the chance to understand equality.
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Very good to see so many people turning out to support women and equality.
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Will definitely be re-blogging this on my blog. I love bringing awareness of Feminism from across the globe.
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