International Women’s Day 2016: Pledge For Parity
Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step it up
Hey Gauchos, today is International Women’s Day!
It is time to look back on the progress made, to call for change and to honor the acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an astonishing role in the history of their countries and communities.
The 2016 theme for International Women’s Day is “Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality”.
The United Nations observance on March 8th will reflect on how to accelerate the 2030 Agenda, building momentum for the effective implementation of the new sustainable development goals especially goal number five: achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls, and number four: ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning.
The theme will also focus on new commitments under UN Women’s Step It Up initiative, and other existing commitments on gender equality, women’s empowerment and women’s human rights.
Some key targets of the 2030 Agenda:
• By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and goal four-effective learning outcomes.
• By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and preprimary education so that they are ready for primary education.
• End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.
• Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
• Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation.
Celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievement of women, take the Pledge for Parity here.
If you want to get more involved in gender equality at UCSB check out The Women, Gender & Sexual Equality Department.
They support students, faculty, and staff who might face some challenges due to their identity.
Their department is made up of four distinct program areas: Women’s Center Programs, Rape Prevention Education Program, Non-Traditional Student Resource Center, and LGBT Resources/Resource Center for Sexual & Gender Diversity.