Yesterday my children brought a note from school, in which it was explained that, on the occasion of the general strike called today, absences to class would be justified by the center. Obviously they were happy to have an unexpected vacation day.
However, to me this day has seemed an excellent opportunity to remind my children that today, Working Women's Day, is not a holiday, but a day in which the struggle of women for equal opportunities is commemorated, in a world in which, unfortunately, many of our rights are still being violated. Therefore, today I want to share with you some ideas to commemorate this day with our children.
Tell your children the origin of this day
On March 8, the windows of stores, magazines and social networks are filled with flowers and advertisements to congratulate women and invite them to celebrate their day. However, March 8 is not a day to celebrate. It is a day to remember that in 1908, a group of textile workers from New York decided to take to the streets to protest the poor conditions at their work. These women demanded a 10-hour working day, equal pay and to be able to go out to breastfeed their children. In a few days, a fire in a shirt factory killed more than a hundred women. This fire was attributed to the owner of the factory in response to the strike.
This fact caused such a social impact that in 1910, during the Second International Conference of Working Women held in Copenhagen (Denmark) more than 100 women approved to declare the March 8 as International Working Women's Day.
Attend an event related to Women's Day
On March 8, in many places demonstrations, talks, conferences, exhibitions, concerts and countless other events are held. activities to commemorate women's struggle for equality. Check those that take place in the area where you live and go to one of them with your children.
Set up a feminist film session
What kid doesn't like to go to the movies? Movies are an excellent resource to capture children's attention and reinforce certain values. Turn your living room into a movie theater, make popcorn sandwiches and make yourself comfortable. Pick a movie about an inspiring woman, of those who fight for their dreams and rebel against injustice. You have to take into account the age of your children, but some good options could be, Brave, Vaiana, Maleficent, Mulan or Chichiro's trip.
Read with your children about relevant women in history
Frida Kahlo, Violeta Parra, Malala Yousafzai, Marie Curie, Concepción Arenal, Simone de Beauvoir, Rosa Parks, Dolores Ibárruri, Clara Campoamor, ……. There are many women who throughout history have struggled to find a place in a world dominated by men. Many of the rights that seem obvious to us today, we owe to them, who with their struggle and effort have marked a before and after in the customs of their time. Therefore, it is important that your children know them. Take the opportunity to go to the library or find information about them on the internet and read about them with your children.
Update a feminist soundtrack
Music is an excellent resource to learn and internalize concepts in an easy and fun way. For this reason, it is important that we choose well what we listen to with our children since the lyrics of the songs are recorded in their minds and help them understand the world a little better. Seeks songs that promote equality, that empower girls and boys without gender differences. Songs like "The Fairies exist" or "the violet door" by Rozalén, "Lo malo", by Aitana and Ana Guerra, "Who cares" by Alaska, "I will survive" by Gloria Gaynor, " by Ana Guerra, «Ella» by Bebe,…. and many more are ideal to put the soundtrack to women's day.
I hope these ideas help you to commemorate Women's Day as a family. But remember, the fight for equality is not a matter of one day. Our daughters and sons must grow up in an environment of equality, tolerance and mutual respect, so that tomorrow they can create a society in which it is not necessary to continue claiming days like this.