Here’s to Strong Women

Today is International Women’s Day. It is acknowledged worldwide, and celebrates women’s achievements from political to social, as well as calling for gender equality. In Nepal, it is actually a public holiday (for women only).

In the early 1900’s, when international women’s day first began, the aim was to increase wages, decrease working hours and to gain the right to vote. Now, this day is more about celebrating the achievements of women, and inspiring others.

When I think of International Women’s Day, I think about the strong women in history, Nellie McClung, Roberta Bondar, and Rosa Parks.

But I also think about the women in my life.

Strong, independent, brilliant, and amazing people. The women that come to mind are all scattered around the world.

My own mother, grandmother, cousins and aunts. Canadian friends making their way in their careers as photographers, teachers, and working their way up in whatever organization they work for.

I also think of my Nepali friends and the women I met when I lived there.

This photograph was taken in December 2017, in a village a few hours south of Kathmandu, on a day that I refer to as “the day of 100 cups of tea”. I was here on a field visit, interviewing men and women to learn more about perspectives on gender in the dairy farming community. With each house we visited, we were offered a cup of tea, no matter how busy they were. The women in this picture are all members of the only women’s dairy cooperative in the district.