In case you didn't know, March 8 was International Women's Day. And while it may seem like gender inequality is a thing of the past, discrimination still exists, both here in America and abroad. In this issue, our contributors address the issues of gender disparities and identify progress their countries are making towards equality. In this issue, you can go on a job hunt in Russia with Marta, hear a typical conversation between a Japanese husband and wife from Yu, and hear French opinions of the holiday thanks to Simon.
Check out the International Women's Day website: http://www.internationalwomensday.com/
Continue reading "Gender Issues"
Following a decision of the United Nations, the 8th of March was made the official day for women worldwide in 1977. The socialist government chose to apply it in France in 1982. Unlike many countries, this is not a day off but a time when many events take place across the country. One of these events is a march in Paris where feminist associations, political parties and trade unions gather together in order to claim equal salaries and the expansion of the right to abortion. Indeed, according to a report given by the International Labor Organization (ILO), women are more likely to lose their jobs in the context of the international economic crisis.
Continue reading "France Celebrates International Women's Day"
...and missing the other edge by a few $ grand in the difference of salaries. Very few, if any at all, "first-world" countries can pride themselves on the non-existence of a salary gender gap. It exists in the U.S., it exists in Europe, it''s been around for quite a while.
Continue reading "Trying to leap over the gender gap..."
I believe the equality between the genders in the Czech Republic has greatly increased in the recent decades. From my point of view, the gender issues in the US and in the Czech are nearly identical. The society has been moving in the right direction and gender equality is one of the priorities of Czech governmental policy. However, a lot of work will still have to be done. For example, the pay gap between women and men is 25% and the percentage of women in the Czech parliament is only 15.5%, putting us on the 76th place in the world... These numbers are very similar to the ones in the US. More fun statistics? ...
Continue reading "Czech Gender Statistics"
Over the last 20 years, many women have started working after graduating from college. This is probably because the 10-year-recession has forced women to work after their husband's wages were cut again and again. However, it is still very common for women to get married instead of working right after graduation. Mainly this is because the discrimination of women exists in the work place.
For example, a man and a woman go on an interview for a company and they are identical. The company will pick the man even though the woman has the exact same skills as the man does. The company chooses him over her just because there is a potential that women may leave the company or take a long break for marriage and pregnancy.
Continue reading "Japan is a male society"
Although Ecuador is a really beautiful country and I am proud to be an Ecuadorian, Ecuador is very behind in Women's Rights. Most of Ecuadorian women are housewives that dedicate their whole life to the wellness of their husbands and kids.
Continue reading "Women's Rights in Ecuador"
International Women’s day on March 8th is an imperative day in Morocco since it is an occasion to drive the attention to women’s achievements in many fields. Indeed the Moroccan woman plays a significant role in the society because of her contribution to education, the economy and politics. But before talking about women in Morocco today, first I am going to give you a brief history about Moroccan women.
Continue reading "Moroccan Women in continuous progress"
For years and years women have struggled for more and equal rights in society, but today in the XXI century we are still talking about this topic. The role of women varies in every society, depending on the country and the culture (sometimes including religion). In my case, I have to talk about Argentina and the situation today, how different is from the USA or not.
Continue reading "Genders in Argentina"
For 200 years Chilean women have fought a lot to have a place in the society outside of their houses. They have not only asked for political rights, but also to have possibilities of study after high school and the chance to become professionals. At the beginning of last century, the concepts of woman and culture did not meet at any point. Females were educated to be housekeepers and mothers; nobody thought to go in another direction.
Continue reading "Women Effect"
"Sustainability" is a hot word right now- especially at Willamette. Out of 1068 colleges and universities participating in a survey by the National Wildlife Federation, Willamette was recognized as the most dedicated to sustainability. So we thought we extend the question "What does sustainability look like to you?" to our international friends. In this issue, you'll learn about the initiatives and progress for sustainability in Germany, Japan, the Czech Republic, Russia, France and Ecuador!
