The data is clear. Despite women’s increased engagement in public decision-making roles, equality is far off: women hold about 21 percent of ministerial positions globally, only three countries have 50 percent or more women in parliament, and 22 countries are headed by a woman. At the current rate of progress, gender equality will not be reached among Heads of Government until 2150, another 130 years.
What’s more, violence against women in public life is widespread. Women in leadership roles struggle with lack of access to finance, online hate and violence, and discriminatory norms and exclusionary policies that make rising through the ranks even harder.
Yet, women persist and continue to prove that when they lead, they bring transformative changes to entire communities and the world at large.
Inclusive and diverse feminist leadership is key to sustained global development as the world continues to confront urgent challenges – from the COVID-19 pandemic to climate change, deepening inequalities, conflict, and democratic backsliding. The United Nations is working around the world to enable more women to take their rightful seats at decision-making tables. --United Nations
You might wonder why gender equality should matter to me.
Regardless of where you live, gender equality is a fundamental human right. Advancing gender equality is critical to all areas of a healthy society, from reducing poverty to promoting the health, education, protection, and well-being of girls and boys.
But there can be many challenges to this:
Worldwide, nearly half of married women lack decision-making power over their sexual and reproductive health and rights. 35 percent of women between 15-49 years of age have experienced physical and/ or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence.1 in 3 girls aged 15-19 have experienced some form of female genital mutilation/cutting in the 30 countries in Africa and the Middle East, where the harmful practice is most common with a high risk of prolonged bleeding, infection (including HIV), childbirth complications, infertility, and death.
This type of violence doesn’t just harm individual women and girls; it also undermines their overall quality of life and hinders their active involvement in society.
--U.N. Sustainable Government Goals
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When the inventor, entrepreneur, and businessman Alfred Nobel died, his will stated that his fortune was to be used to reward “those who, during the preceding year, shall have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind.” Nobel’s prize would reward outstanding efforts in the fields that he was most involved in during his lifetime: physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature, and peace.
After his death, a long process began to realize his vision, and the first Nobel Prizes were awarded in 1901. In 1969, a new prize was established – the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel. Its addition was an exception, to celebrate the tercentenary of Sweden’s central bank. -The Nobel Prize
Now get ready for some fun facts!
The tradition of decorated gingerbread houses began in Germany in the early 1800s, supposedly popularised after the not-so-Christmassy fairytale of Hansel and Gretel was published in 1812. The Grimms’ original fairy tale includes the line: “When they came nearer they saw that the house was built of bread, and roofed with cakes, and the window was of transparent sugar.” (In later versions it became gingerbread, rather than just bread.) Inspired by the story, German bakers began to craft small decorated houses from lebkuchen, spiced honey biscuits.
The origins of gingerbread are not precise. Ginger root was first cultivated in China around 5,000 years ago, and was thought to have medicinal and magical properties. When its usefulness as a preservative was discovered is unclear, but some food historians say that the first known recipe for gingerbread dates from around 2400 BC in Greece. Others trace its history to 992 AD when Armenian monk Gregory of Nicopolis is thought to have taught Christian bakers in France how to make it. Later references include a gingerbread guild in Germany, probably formed in the 15th century to protect the rights of certain bakers. At around the same time, nuns in Sweden were baking gingerbread to ease indigestion. -The Guardian
"Buddy the Elf, what's your favorite color?"
Today is the day to answer the phone like Buddy the Elf from the holiday favorite movie Elf. This is assuming you still talk on the phone and aren't just texting, otherwise, it doesn't have the same effect, you know? But to get you in good spirits and gain some confidence to do so, take a look at some of the fun facts about the movie we have found for you from Insider!
This day commemorates the first appearance of the Daleks of the famous British TV show Doctor Who in 1963. For those of you who don't know who or what Doctor Who is and about, here is a definition from Britannica:
"Doctor Who is a British science fiction television series produced by the BBC. The show's original run lasted 26 years, from 1963 to 1989. Remembered for its primitive special effects and compelling storylines, Doctor Who became a landmark of British popular culture. The series resumed to much acclaim in 2005."
Already a fan of the show? How about taking a look at these fun facts about the show given by the BBC:
Boxing Day in Great Britain and some Commonwealth countries, particularly Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, holiday (December 26) on which servants, tradespeople, and the poor traditionally were presented with gifts. By the 21st century, it had become a day associated with shopping and sporting events.
Explanations for the origin of the name have varied, with some believing that it derived from the opening of alms boxes that had been placed in churches for the collection of donations to aid the poor. Others, however, have held that it came from the boxes of gifts given to employees on the day after Christmas. According to this theory, because the work of servants was required for the Christmas Day celebrations of their employers, they were allowed the following day for their own observance of the holiday. The practice of giving bonuses to service employees has continued, although it is now often done before rather than after Christmas Day. -Britannica
Hogmanay is the Scottish name for New Year celebrations. It is not known exactly where the word comes from, although it is believed to come from the French word 'hoginane' meaning 'gala day'. It is thought to have first been used widely following Mary, Queen of Scots' return to Scotland from France in 1561. Dr. Donna Heddle, an expert from the University of the Highlands and Islands, explained: "The name could also come from the Anglo-Saxon 'haleg monath' meaning 'holy month'." Some say it could come from the Scandinavian 'hoggo-nott' meaning 'yule'. But Dr Heddle says: "The most likely source seems to be French. In Normandy, presents given at Hogmanay were 'hoguignetes'."
First footing is a traditional part of Hogmanay celebrations in Scotland, although it doesn't happen nowadays as much as it used to. First footing is when you visit friends or family immediately after midnight in order to become the first person to visit them and go into their house in the new year. Your very first foot - the first person to visit you in the new year - should traditionally be a tall, dark-haired man. That is said to date back to the Viking invasions, as Vikings were typically fairer-haired, so the arrival of a blonde man could have meant imminent danger!
It could also have roots in pagan traditions of marking the arrival of the dark half of the year interacting with the mysterious realm of darkness and spirits, and appeasing them with food and hospitality. First footers also traditionally bring a lump of coal to ensure the house remains warm in the coming months. Ahead of the new year, it is also traditional for people to clean their houses and remove any old ashes from the fire. This symbolizes clearing out the old year to welcome the new one. -BBC
