What is there to celebrate?

I recently posted a tweet asking ‘twitters’ if they would join Hagar in celebrating International Women’s Day. One response came asking ‘what is there to celebrate?’… and this is my response:

I agree that when we hear about the lack of equality and lack of rights for women; the violent stories of abuse and rejection, there doesn’t seem to be much to celebrate!  But what I choose to celebrate is the resilience, courage and voice of women who can today stand tall.

I choose to celebrate the young girl raped in the community who can stand in court and tell her story, pointing out the perpetrator so that he won’t hurt anyone else again

I choose to celebrate the woman who despite being left disfigured after an acid burns attack, can look in the mirror and know she is beautiful

I choose to celebrate the woman who although rejected by family because of shame and stigma, can run a successful business and support herself, her children and be part of her community

I choose to celebrate the woman who at her own risk goes to work every day, knowing that she is placing herself at risk because of the culture in which she lives, but she wants to make a difference

I choose to celebrate the woman who has survived human trafficking and can stand up in front of a room full of other girls who have experienced the same abuse, and confidently tell them they will overcome as she has.

There is much to celebrate…

If you would like to join Hagar UK in celebrating International Women’s Day, please join us on March 8^th as we partner with Women for Women UK in the ‘join me on the bridge’ campaign: www.joinmeonthebridge.org  or why not hold an event yourself and celebrate with a dinner; a walk; a coffee and cake afternoon and tell us about it… Thank you for celebrating with us!