Today (1st March) is the first day of Women's History Month, a time to reflect on the vital contributions that women have made to the world, as well as looking forward to how we can create a more equal society.
In an exclusive essay for GLAMOUR UK, Annie Lennox, world-renowned singer, songwriter, activist, and co-founder of The Circle, shares her vision of how Global Feminism can unite and empower women around the world.
As we draw closer to International Women’s Day, it’s hard not to feel despondent about the reversal and erosion of rights for women and girls across the globe.
With USAID having been recently frozen, programmes that once provided life-saving healthcare for millions of women and girls worldwide are now closing their doors.
In conflict zones such as Palestine, Sudan and the DRC, women are bearing the direct brunt of unimaginable horrors and atrocities.
While in Afghanistan, women have literally been banned from working, studying, travelling and even singing.
Since 2015 the situation for women has got progressively worse in 18 countries in total.
Bearing in mind that no country has ever achieved gender equality, we still have a very long way to go.
Surrounded by so many appalling headlines and deeply disturbing stories, it might feel easier to simply switch off and ignore everything that’s taking place.
Yet, as Global Feminists, we realise that we can find strength and inspiration from each other in order to channel our energy towards positivity and resilience.
Despite all the heartbreaking news, there are some hard-won achievements to celebrate.
Child marriage has actually been criminalised in Sierra Leone and Colombia.
While Mexico and Namibia elected their first female leaders last year.
Progress CAN be made and there are ways in which we can all contribute and support.
I’m proud to call myself a Global Feminist and have been privileged to utilise my musical platform for many years in order to raise awareness about the issues and challenges faced by our global sisterhood.
17 years ago, I co-founded ‘The Circle’ with a group of like-minded women.
The Circle is a Global Feminist organisation, standing in solidarity and working in partnership with women facing violence and inequality around the world.
Today, we’ve grown into an unstoppable network of women and allies from all walks of life.
We come from many different parts of the globe, and are striving for fairness, safety and equality for women everywhere.
Some of us are exceptional grassroots activists, such as Alice Atieno, Zahra Joya and Nozuko Conjwa.
Others are former world leaders such as Julia Gillard and Mary Robinson, as well as leaders from the music and creative industries, such as Brandi Carlile, Skin from Skunk Anansie, Livia Giuggioli Firth, V (Eve Ensler), Misan Harriman and Barbara Broccoli.
Many more of our associates are women and allies who want to make a difference.
Anti-LGBTQIA+ rhetoric has already crept into UK politics and policy.
‘Global Feminism’ is a term first coined by American author and social critic, bell hooks who said: “The goal of Global Feminism is to reach out and join global struggles to end sexism, sexist exploitation and oppression.”
This International Women’s Day is our chance to do just that.
Global Feminism lies at the heart of everything The Circle stands for.
By supporting feminist movements, we can bring about change and progress.
Evidence shows that countries with the strongest feminist movements tend to have better legal and civil policies on the issue of violence against women.
Real change comes when communities are empowered to create services that are tailored for their needs.
When we support these movements, transformation happens.
From reproductive rights to women in conflict.
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I was fortunate enough to talk to Alice Atieno recently, one of the co-founders at our grassroots partners AWER in Kenya.
Alice has used her experience as a survivor of kidnap and sexual slavery to support other indigenous women at risk in her community.
Incredibly AWER have been able to support more than 83,000 women last year, through providing psychosocial and medical care, legal support, housing assistance, vocational training and awareness raising on women and girls' rights.
To quote Alice…. “When we come together as women, we can achieve great things.”
In an effort to raise awareness and funds for the Global Feminist movement, this week I’m delighted to perform at The Royal Albert Hall for SISTERS - Annie Lennox & Friends in support of The Circle.
It’s a chance to bring women and allies together to find inspiration and strength in each other, as well as raising much needed funds to support our incredible grassroots partners around the world.
We can all use our unique skills and talents to bring about change.
It’s never been so vital.
With best wishes and love
From Annie. xxx
Here are five things that you can do ahead of this International Women’s Day to stand in solidarity and action with women and girls facing violence and injustice around world:
Join a movement: Join a movement that aligns with your values. The Circle supports grassroots global feminists across the world.
Donate: Every penny you donate counts. Shockingly less than 1% of development funding supports women's rights organisations and USAid cuts are making things worse for women around the world. Donate vital funds to an organisation such as The Circle.
Report online hate: With fact-checking being taken off some social media platforms, it’s more critical than ever to report hate online when you see it. Learn more here.
Stop doom-scrolling and focus on meaningful connections: Connect with people who inspire and uplift you. Connect with nature. Stay informed but take breaks from news and social media to maintain balance.
Speak out and take action: Speak out against misogyny and racism, online, in your place of work, in your schools and universities where possible. Only share information online from reputable sources.
Next up? A comprehensive Image-Based Abuse Law.
