The International Women's Day!

«All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. Everyone is entitled to all the right and freedoms set forth in the universal Declaration of Human Rights» (Principle 1, ICPD Programme og Action).

Congratulations to you all! Today is the International Women's Day! Gender equality in Norway and the world at large, is important. It is essential that we all work towards it.

«A state that does not educate and train women is like a man who only train his right arm» (Jostein Gaarder)

Over the years I experienced that the word feminist is not seen as positive. Some I've met have, when the subject comes up, said they think feminists should stop complaining. Some even believe that feminists hate men. This is completely wrong.

«I do not wish them [women] to have power over men; but over themselves» (Mary Wollstonecraft).

Being a feminist means easy to fine you are for equal rights between women and men. Therefor I think, that many who might be skeptical towards feminists actually are feminists themselves. Let's move away from these negative attitudes and work together. My goal is to never have strong opinions about anything before I get knowledge about what the case actually is.

«I do assure you, Sir, that I have no pretension whatever to that kind of elegance which consists in tormenting a respectable man. I would rather be paid the compliment of being believed sincere. […] Do not consider me now as an elegant female intending to plague you, but as a rational creature speaking the truth from her heart» (Jane Austen).

In Norway, we women are luckier than women in many other places in the world. We got the right to vote in 1913, while women in for instance Liechtenstein (another country in Europe), did not get the right to vote until 1984. In other parts of the world women's voices are not heard or respected at all. Women are suppressed and subjected to traditions such as FGM (female gender mutilation) and forced marriage.

«I raise up my voice – not so I can shout but so that those without a voice can be heard…We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back» (Malala Yousafzai)

I want to engage men into this as well as women. We are only as weak as we are divided, as strong as we are united. Let all women stand up together for gender equality. And let men worldwide also support and take part in this fight.

«Of all the evils for which man has made himself responsible, none is so degrading, so shocking or so brutal as his abuse of the better half of humanity; the female sex» (Mahatma Gandhi).

Today many men are already supporting and fighting for gender equality, and that’s great! I want to thank all women and men who works towards a better and more equal world. For me, the women’s day, is both a celebration of all the women who throughout history, have fought for equal rights, and the present day’s equality advocates. In addition, this day clarifies a goal for the future. Let us work together, both women and men, to improve the position of women in society. We can do it!