Text by Muhammad Azka Muharam

Photo by Flipboard.com

Women face many issues from time to time because of their gender. In a social context, in an educational environment, workplaces, and society in general. This year’s theme is #breakthebias

The 2022 United Nations theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is “gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow.” This theme aims to highlight gender equality during the global climate crisis.

Before we delve into our recommendation, let’s look at the history behind International Women’s Day and what it means.

First known International Women’s Day was celebrated in 1909 by the Socialist Party of America in New York. Following on, German Delegates proposed at the 1910 International Socialist Woman’s Conference that a Women’s Day should be organized annually.

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In 1917, March 8th became a national holiday in Soviet Russia. This holiday was celebrated primarily by socialist movements and communist countries. However, in the late 60s, the feminist movement encouraged it, and in 1977, the United Nations began officially celebrating it.

#breakthebias Manifesto

Imagine living in a gender-equal world. A world that is free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. Diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated.

Individually, we’re all responsible for our thoughts and actions – all day, every day. We can break the bias in our communities. We can break the bias in our workplaces. We can break the bias in our schools, colleges, and universities. Together, we can all break the bias – on International Women’s Day and beyond.

Well, here are some recommendations from us for what to listen, read, and watch for International Women’s Day.

Read

Here’s a reading guide towards International Women’s Day. From selected articles, books, novels, and poem.

And Still I Rise by Maya Angelou

And Still I Rise is author Maya Angelou’s third volume of poetry, published by Random House in 1978. It was published during one of the most productive periods in Angelou’s career; she had written three autobiographies and published two other volumes of poetry up to that point.

Watch

Next is what to watch, we compiled women-themed movies and videos for you to watch.

Lady Bird (2017)

In the fall of 2002, Christine MacPherson (Saoirse Ronan) is a senior at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic high school in Sacramento, California. She gives herself the name “Lady Bird” and longs to attend a prestigious college in “a city with culture” somewhere on the East Coast, despite her family’s financial struggles. Her mother, Marion (Laurie Metcalf), often tells her that she is ungrateful for what she has. Lady Bird and her best friend, Julianne “Julie” Steffans (Beanie Feldstein), join their school theater program, where Lady Bird develops a crush on Daniel “Danny” O’Neill (Lucas Hedges), who attends Xavier, the boys’ school. This grows into a romantic relationship, and Lady Bird disappoints Marion by spending her last Thanksgiving before graduation with Danny’s wealthy family instead of her own. After the opening night of “Merrily We Roll Along“, their relationship ends when Lady Bird and Julie discover Danny kissing another boy in a bathroom stall.

Marlina the Murderer in Four Acts (Original Title: Marlina si Pembunuh dalam Empat Babak

In the first act, The Robbery, the film opens on the island of Sumba with Marlina grieving her late husband. A group of seven men, led by the aged Markus, arrive at her house intent on robbing Marlina of her livestock and raping her. They demand to be fed dinner, and she takes the opportunity to poison most of the robbers with chicken soup and decapitate Markus. She burns Markus’ musical instrument, a jungga.

Suffragette (2015)

In 1912, Maud Watts is a 24-year-old laundry worker. While delivering a package, she is caught up in a suffragette protest which includes her workmate, Violet Miller.

Alice Haughton, the wife of an MP, encourages women from the laundry to testify to a Parliamentary committee. Violet offers but is beaten by her abusive husband and Maud testifies. The women later learn, at a public announcement, that the vote is not to be extended. Maud is caught up in the protest, arrested, and jailed for a week. While in jail, she meets Emily Davison, a confidante of Emmeline Pankhurst.

Weakness of the Flesh

About the body that is delicate, a blank canvas that society’s normality wont enslave it.

Listen

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