On March 8, 2024, the world will once again celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD), symbolizing women’s enduring struggles and triumphs globally. The 2024 theme, “Inspire Inclusion,” calls for unified efforts towards universal gender equality, celebrating women’s achievements across all life facets and highlighting the importance of gender equality and empowerment.
Historically, International Women’s Day was first celebrated in the early 20th century when women in many countries began fighting for their rights, including the right to work, to education, and to vote. On March 8, 1908, thousands of women gathered in New York City, USA, to demand better working conditions and the right to vote. Since then, March 8 has been commemorated as a day where the world honors the fight and achievements of women.
In the spirit of “Inspire Inclusion,” we had the opportunity to soak in insights and motivations from students in the Communication Science study programme. Through these discussions, we delved into how they, as pillars of the academic and social community, have taken significant steps to embrace and implement the values of inclusivity.
One of the highlights of our dialogue was with Gading, the Head of the Student Executive Board at the Faculty of Communication Science, Universitas Padjadjaran, who passionately shared his views on the essence of inclusivity in higher education.
“BEM Fikom is fully committed to building inclusivity awareness among all members of the Fikom Unpad Student Family,”
Gading revealed. He emphasized that inclusivity is about more than just listening; it’s about valuing every voice and idea that arises, ensuring that every individual feels represented and valued.
Adding to the inclusivity narrative, Risna, who achieved the position of runner-up in the Putra Putri Fikom, shared her reflections on the importance of International Women’s Day in acknowledging and celebrating women’s contributions to campus life. Risna highlighted that IWD is not just about recognition but also about promoting concrete steps towards gender equality and inclusion. She pointed out how IWD can serve as a platform for discussing the challenges women face in academic and social spheres, while also celebrating their diversity and achievements.
Happy International Women’s Day 2024! Let’s uplift and celebrate the achievements and contributions of women around the world! (Ed)