Has Women’s Day lost its true meaning?

“I dunno why Woman’s Day is celebrated,” Ryan Au (11C) stated point blank.

If you weren’t aware, Women’s Day took place on March 8th, and came with a variety of discounts in Taobao and other shopping apps. It has already become a “tradition” to have these sales during holidays. Some people－especially those who benefit from it－may argue that the practice creates a festive atmosphere and encourages people to be involved in the event. The fact is, however, people have forgotten the real purpose of this holiday and, as Ryan points out, “…the discounts [are] just excuses for companies to earn money.”

In this day and age, Women’s Day has largely lost its political context and became simply a day to honor the women and feminine beauty. Few young people know that March 8 was suggested by the 1910 International Socialist Woman’s Conference to become an “International Woman’s Day”; not to mention the original idea was to promote women’s rights.

“…Women fought for rights, freedom, equality, and [this was] society’s recognition and respect of their hard work,” PTA officer Mrs. Vivian Chen recalled. “The word ‘woman’ itself means more to adults than [it does to] teenagers or students,” She also suggests,  “Every holiday takes place along with entertaining activities. This helps to gather attention, promote the learning of the true purpose of Women’s Day, and emphasizes the contributions women have given to the society.”

The holiday was supposed to be meant to honor all women as well as their great accomplishments in human history. But now, most of us send red packets to our mothers on Wechat, or maybe buy her some flowers, calculate how to use the discounts most effectively, and that’s it. Perhaps this is happening partly because it’s not a holiday for students to celebrate, and yet it’s the younger generation who should pass the spirit on.

Will we be able to pass on this tradition without it losing its original value?

Featured Image: Women march in New York Suffragists Parade 1912 courtesy of library.lwv.org