Women In Technology - Friday Links - 08/03/2024
Hello everyone, and happy International Women's Day!
The theme of this year’s IWD is: Inspire Inclusion. "When we inspire others to understand and value women's inclusion, we forge a better world. And when women themselves are inspired to be included, there's a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment.”
Today we bring you a selection of events celebrating IWD (including some happening today, so keep reading!), as well as some stories particularly relevant to the occasion, including recent developments in France and a profile of legendary feminist writer and activist, Gloria Steinem, who celebrates her 90th birthday this month.
Have a great weekend,
Kate, for WIT SC
Follow our celebration @wit.cern on Instagram!
IWD events in the Geneva region
- La paix commence avec elles (Peace begins with her): Today at UniGE! Portrait campaign and round-table discussion on the importance of women’s participation in peace efforts.
- Girls in Stand-up: This evening! Performances by female comedians at the Maison des associations socio-politiques.
- Cortège pour la journée internationale des luttes féministes. This evening! A women’s march organised by the Collectif genevois de la grève féministe.
- Semaine de l'égalité: This week is Equality Week in Geneva, with the theme “Genre et climate, même combat” (Gender and climate, the same fight!). There are several events related to the intersection of gender equality and the environment between now and March 10.
- IWD at EPFL: Today! For those in the Lausanne area, there will be a round-table discussion (in-person + Zoom) on women in engineering, as well as exhibits on women in STEM.
- Events in Ain and Haute-Savoie: See this article for a summary of events taking place today on the French side.
The history of International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day: When is it, and why is it important? Did you know that International Women's Day originated from the labour movement, and was first celebrated in 1908? This article from the BBC explores the history and people behind this celebration of women’s rights activism.
Photo: Abdul Saboor (Reuters)
A victory for women’s rights in France
France enshrines 'freedom' to abortion in Constitution, in world first. A joint session of Parliament voted to adopt a constitutional reform to protect the 'freedom of women to voluntarily terminate a pregnancy, which is guaranteed.’
- In the words of Prime Minister Gabriel Attal: “Aujourd’hui, la France a adressé un message historique au monde entier : le corps des femmes leur appartient et personne n’a le droit d’en disposer à leur place.” (Today, France has sent an historic message to the entire world: women’s bodies belong to them and no one has the right to decide for them.)
- For a more detailed summary of the political process (in French), see this feature in Le Monde.
France honours Simone Veil, Josephine Baker, and Marie Curie
Meet the new French faces on Euro coins. Three 'exceptional' women - Simone Veil, Josephine Baker, and Marie Curie - will be featured on France's new €0.10, €0.20 and €0.50 coins.
Happy birthday, Gloria Steinem
This month, the legendary feminist writer and activist, Gloria Steinem, celebrates her 90th birthday.
- "The woman a man most fears is the woman inside himself." An excerpt from the book "What Will It Take to Make a Woman President?: Conversations About Women, Leadership & Power" by Marianne Schnall.
- Gloria Steinem Is Still In the Fight (Esquire). "A month shy of her 90th birthday, the legendary activist discusses the state of the union, gender in American politics, and why 'democracy is a statement of hope, not reality.’ “
Other upcoming events
- FIFDH (March 8-17, Geneva). This year’s edition of the International Human Rights Film Festival brings another thought-provoking and international selection of films, forums, and events.
- Career Steps Geneva networking event (March 14).
- CERN Alumni virtual company showroom with Sirona Technologies (March 15 on Zoom).
- International Neutrino Summer School (June 3-14, Bologna, Italy). Registration is now open.
- CERN Accelerator Schools (various dates). Registration is now open for schools on mechanical & materials engineering, introductory accelerator physics, and advanced accelerator physics.