‘Better the balance, better the world.’ This uplifting statement expresses the theme for this year’s International Women’s Day which takes place on 8 March 2019. The theme focuses on the need for continued efforts by everyone, no matter where you are, to create a gender-balanced world.
#BalanceforBetter #IWD19
The core message states, ‘From grassroots activism to worldwide action, we are entering an exciting period of history where the world expects balance. We notice its absence and celebrate its presence.’[1]
The official International Women’s Day website proudly announces, ‘The 2019 #BalanceforBetter campaign runs all year long. It doesn’t end on International Women’s Day. The campaign theme provides a unified direction to guide and galvanise continuous collective action, with #BalanceforBetter activity reinforced and amplified all year.’[2]
Importance of #IWD19 in South Africa
A gender-balanced world is rooted in equality; women have the same rights as men and are free to make their own choices – this is especially true when it comes to decisions about their sexual and reproductive health. A gender-balanced world is devoid of discrimination and prejudice, which gives women the confidence to oust the stigma attached to abortion.
In South Africa, women have the legal right to a safe abortion should they choose to terminate an unplanned pregnancy. It’s only through access to knowledge, accurate resources and accessibility to superior-quality women’s healthcare clinics that we will br able to ‘better the balance, better the world.’
There are a number of different ways to get involved with IWD 2019. From creating a relationship to purchasing International Women’s Day Event Packs, you can show your support of the global campaign.
Did you know that ‘the first International Women’s Day occurred in 1911, supported by over one million people? Today, IWD belongs to all groups collectively everywhere. IWD is not country, group or organisation specific.’[3]
Marie Stopes supports a gender-balanced world
Marie Stopes is the global leader in women’s sexual and reproductive healthcare services. We strongly support the core message of International Women’s Day. There is no doubt that we are now in a period of history where a gender-balanced society is expected and this concept needs to be embraced on a mental and physical level.
It needs to be understood that every woman in South Africa has the legal right to a safe abortion performed by professionals at an accredited medical facility. It’s your body, your choice. If you would like more information about the two procedures we offer, or any of Marie Stopes South Africa’s services, please book and appointment or call us on 0800 11 77 85.
In South Africa, we operate 17 centres across 7 provinces and are a Section 21 non-profit organisation recognised for the quality of our clinical services and our non-judgemental, client-friendly approach. The fees we charge for our services are cross-subsidised across our network, meaning centres are able to offer prices that best suit the communities they serve.
[1] https://www.internationalwomensday.com/Theme
[2] https://www.internationalwomensday.com/Theme
[3] https://www.internationalwomensday.com/Theme