Drawing on the official UN the theme for International Women’s Day 2013, ‘A Promise is a Promise: Time for Action to End Violence Against Women,’ AGI is taking a look at some of the biggest issues affecting women in Asia today. But can one day really make a difference? AGI Deputy Editor Lucy Carey argues the case for this annual event.

Held every 8th of March, International Women’s Day originally started life as a socialist political event. Ostensibly it is a day of awareness, focusing on human rights and the political struggles of women around the world, however it has also been co-opted by some into more of a Hallmark holiday, as evidenced by the flurry of self-congratulatory lipstick feminist ‘Well done ladies!’ messages which pop-up around this day.

The truth is, for all the significant advancements being made in terms of gender parity around the globe, there is a hell of a way to go before activists can lie back and rest on their laurels. In the past year, there have been three huge headline grabbing stories which have brought home to the international community the extent of the hurdles we must clear before we can hold a day of celebration. The official UN theme for International Women’s Day 2013, ‘A Promise is a Promise: Time for Action to End Violence Against Women,’ seems particularly apt this year.

The official UN theme for International Women’s Day 2013, ‘A Promise is a Promise: Time for Action to End Violence Against Women,’ seems particularly apt this year

From the horrific shooting of 15 year old Malala, who dared to fight for her right for education to the incarceration of members of feminist group Pussy Riot, the continuing story of the fight for women’s human rights in 2013 is one that is drenched in blood and sacrifice. It has also been a year in which the gang rape and ultimate murder of a young Indian student has jolted the international community into introspective examination of the tangled currents of structural violence killing woman around the world, every day, every hour, every minute.

Malala’s recovery was cheered on by millions of supporters around the globe. She remains courageous, and vocal in her fight for education for all girls. By uniting in symbolic solidarity with other women around the world, we too can help

From war torn Afghanistan, where 87% of women will be subject to domestic violence, to Japan, the world’s third biggest economy, which ranks at a dismal 101 in terms of equal opportunities to men on the Global Gender Index, the challenges faced by equal rights campaigners in every region are diverse and unique in complexity. However, with international collaboration, solutions can be found for the most difficult issues , support exchanged, and victories celebrated. Only by bringing that darkest problems faced by a society to the light, painful as it may be, can catharsis begin.

Malala’s recovery was cheered on by millions of supporters around the globe. She remains courageous, and vocal in her fight for education for all girls. By uniting in symbolic solidarity with other women around the world, we too can help. By pushing for change, education, and reform, we can push for a meaningful end to violence against women. The tea parties, cupcakes and you-go-girl slogans are all very well, but without a day that recognises the need to push for meaningful political and social reform, we might as well all go back to the kitchen.