Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women’s equality. Collectively we can all #EmbraceEquity.
International Women’s Day 2023 celebrates women’s achievement, raises awareness about discrimination and fosters action to drive gender parity.
The words equity and equality are often used interchangeably.
Etymologically, the root word they share is aequus, meaning “even” or “fair” or “equal” – which led to equity being from the Latin aequitas, and equality from aequalitas. Yet, despite these similarities, equity and equality are inherently different concepts, and the IWD 2023 #EmbraceEquity campaign theme seeks to help forge worldwide conversation about this important issue and its impact.
Many women survivors of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda still struggle greatly with on-going trauma and more. Building on the successes of the 2017 and 2018 retreats, Liliane Pari Umuhoza teamed up with the Genocide Survivors Foundation and Survivors Fund (SURF) to organize a third retreat for women survivors in Rwanda in 2022.
Held in a safe, welcoming place, and filled with plenty of group activities, self-care, and music, the retreat focuses on trauma and resilience, life-improving strategies and activities, and business and financial planning activities. To mark IWD, and to mark this important milestone, that even those women that are most vulnerable and marginalised, which in particular includes women survivors of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda who were raped and had children born of that rape, we are publishing this short film about the Women Genocide Survivors Retreat III.
Liliane noted: “As we reflect on the theme of today/gender equity, let’s all be reminded that women survivors of the genocide against the Tutsi, are still facing the ongoing challenges of the genocide, including rape. Supporting these women, is one of the ways to achieve gender equity. Without their inclusion there is no gender equity. Also, may this day remind us, that never again remains an empty promise and when moments like wars, genocides and other crimes against humanity happen, women are the most vulnerable. We hope that the courage and resilience of the women survivors inspire everyone who aspire to see gender equity becoming a successful journey.”
To learn more about the previous two retreats as well as the planning for this retreat, which was originally planned in 2020 but had to be postponed to 2022 as a result of COVID-19, then please do visit our website here.
Wishing you an equitable International Women’s Day!