March 8th is International Womens Day

All through March, all around the world, events will be held in respect of ‘Women’ – inspiring seminars and workshops covering diverse subjects as prostitution and slavery to recognizing achievements by women and of course liberation.  Details of numerous events held throughout UK, USA, Australia, Middle East, Asia, Africa and Europe can be seen at the IWD website:  http://www.internationalwomensday.com/ 

We asked hotel reception manager, Suzanne Cobb, what International Womens Day (March 8th) means to her.

I think I work in one of the most stereotype professions – receptionists are almost always female.  When I’m recruiting I am always looking for particular qualities – typically feminine qualities; aside from appearance I need good multi-taskers – efficient but always calm and well mannered, personable and helpful. I sometimes feel part of a totally sexist industry (if you can call it that) – but more recently I’ve come to accept that there are jobs for the girls and jobs for the boys.  I can’t cope with hard-core feminists, and I don’t like the ‘new girl power’ – I don’t believe freedom for women is about drinking pints of beer, dressing like a tart and shagging every bloke that can flex his pecks .  I think that women need to slow down and think very carefully about their liberation.  I’ve read articles about women from Saudi and Iran who are now going to college – I can’t help thinking that in the end they will gain their liberty gracefully with dignity, modesty and respect.   I think International Womens Day should raise awareness for the whole world-wide population – women are NOT a minority - but the right to be equal to men is a badly worded mistake; it should be the right to play our equally important part in society with freedom and respect.

If you attend an event for International Womens Day, please write and tell us how it went….we also welcome photos.