Will you help break the bias?

This is the question that is leading 2022’s International Women’s Day. A world where bias and discrimination are replaced with diversity and inclusivity — a true possibility if we collectively #BreakTheBias.

Celebrated annually on March 8, International Women’s Day is a global celebration of the achievements of women. Dating back to 1911, more than one million people attended rallies campaigning for women’s rights throughout Europe, officially marking the first International Women’s Day.

It was not until 1975 that the holiday was celebrated for the first time by the United Nations. The General Assembly then adopted a resolution in 1977, proclaiming a United Nations Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace to be observed.

The day is also a call to action for gender equality, with this year’s campaign theme being #BreakTheBias.

“Whether deliberate or unconscious, bias makes it difficult for women to move ahead,” the official International Women’s Day (IWD) website stated. “Knowing that bias exists isn’t enough. Action is needed to level the playing field.”

IWD encourages others to actively call out gender bias whenever they encounter it. Whether that be in one’s community, workplace, or school, it is essential to speak out against bias. The more people who break the bias, the closer we are to an inclusive world.

On top of breaking bias, IWD encourages supporters to strike the IWD 2022 pose — where an individual crosses their arms into an ‘X’ to show solidarity — and share the image on social media using #IWD2022 and #BreakTheBias to encourage others to stand against bias.

Anyone can support International Women’s Day. No one is solely responsible for organizing it as it belongs to all groups collectively.

As famous feminist and journalist, Gloria Steinem once said, “The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist, nor to any one organization, but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.”

Take advantage of the day and do what you can to make a stand against gender bias. There is still much to be achieved, and we can take those steps forward if we work together.