Make It Happen : 2015 International Women’s Day

Workshop in KIS Jeju Dorms for Gender Equality

“We need Gender Equality”

Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge

that one day someone might do the same for you. -Diana, Princess of Wales

KIS Jeju dormitories surprised the girls with messages from independent, strong, and

wise women all around the world, to celebrate International Women’s Day 2015, March

8th morning. With the theme of #MakeItHappen, International Women’s Day 2015 aims

its goals for women to represent an opportunity to celebrate achievements of women

while calling for greater gender equality and break gender stereotypes as well.

During KIS Jeju weekly dorm house meetings held at week 1 of March, instead of

rubbing sleepy, tired eyes, students’ eyes were sparkling with interest and concerns.

We live in a world full of stereotypes - especially stereotypes on gender. Act like a Man,

or Be Ladylike - houses of KIS Jeju dorms discussed about the definitions of those

phrases through activities. Acting like a Man - being strong, being tough, always being

stubborn, and being independent is what students usually had in mind. Being Ladylike -

was being pretty and beautiful all the time, being compact to every work, and behaving

modestly to many students. Through discussions, students realized where their

stereotypes of gender have started - media, social communities, and more. Modern day

media got used to all these stereotypes that male has to lead a community, and female do

tasks that require more preciseness and details.

Our dormitories followed the missions of International Women’s Day to break the strong

stereotypes dwelling in our thoughts and helped us to escape out of the box. Students

have stepped further to see every unique characteristic without any prejudice, as every

character of themselves do not feel pressure to fit in the labeled box. Students have

learned that their decisions are more valuable than what others do, or what others tell you

to do. Feeling limited on ability of expressions because of these stereotypes are against

the developing gender-equal society that the world has in vision.

Human rights are women’s rights and women’s right are human rights. - Hilary Clinton

In certain areas of the modern society, still, women are treated differently to men as well

as expected to play different roles and behave based on religion, tradition, and other

beliefs. In many parts of the world, girls are not often sent to school, and realize their

potential as they become a full-grown up woman. Specifically, in rural parts of the world,

women play major worlds in agriculture, but this cannot be in action because they cannot

have their own land. With fair gender-equality, there are plenty of potentials that female

can participate and contribute to the development of society. Also due to cultural beliefs,

women are limited to do certain actions or behaviors which also block their ability to

contribute. Their participation will flourish the developing world to solve social problems

such as poverty and world hunger - but some still do not realize. Even in urban areas,

gender-inequality are noticed. Gender pay gaps between men and women are certainly

seen in the U.S. and Canada (2012) by 19%. However, South Korea (2012) shows a

bigger gap by 39%. On average, women earn 610 won for every 1,000 won a man earns.

Gender-inequality is shown every where, spoken every where, however isn’t understood

fully, and neither changed.

There are numerous NGOs and groups that want people to realize, understand and change

the limitations for women in action to implement gender-equality. Actions for women’s

rights are consciously moving forward. British actress Emma Watson’s endless passionate

work and actions to solve gender-inequality within the United Nations has been noticed

by the world. You can influence the world to be a better place. For the advocations to

gender-equality, our roles are very easy and simple to achieve in our daily lives.

Choose media and language that promotes gender equality. Not being limited by gender

roles and stereotypes of being “girly” or “boyish”. Opportunities are open wide to change

the world. Through social media, information and actions against gender-inequality is

easily accessed, and you could be the one, teaching the importance of gender-equality and

women’s rights.

Gender-equality is a step forwards to united culture and society. Now it is time to break

out of a box, and fight for the limitations that are stopping potentials to contribute, and

participate for a better world. This workshop for gender-equality has dragged interests

and attention from KIS Jeju students, and we now look forward to participations on the

change for gender-equality.

Special thanks to Miss Melissa Pike for creating this amazing workshop and her passion

towards women’s rights.