On the 21st of February is the international Mothers language day. The language that we learn from our parents is usually the first language we learn. UNESCO says on their website: "Multilingual and multicultural societies exist through their languages, which transmit and preserve traditional knowledge and cultures in a sustainable manner." They emphasize the importance of linguistic diversity for a functional society and stress the significance of promoting tolerance and respect between different cultures and languages.
Multilingualism is often accompanied by multiculturalism. The Colonialism is also a factor, it resulted the blending of cultures and languages over time. Even today, migrants pass down their mother languages to their children. Therefore, mother languages not only represent languages but also encompass a rich history and culture.
The concept of celebrating International Mother Language Day originated from Bangladesh and was officially approved at the 1999 UNESCO General Conference. It has been observed worldwide since 2000. Bangladesh was previously part of east Pakistan called the province of Bengal. Although in Bengal the population spoke almost exclusively Bengali and it was the mother tongue of only 3% of the whole population in Pakistan, Pakistan decided to make Urdu the official language. So, on the February 21, 1952 the population of Bengal organized a demonstration. On this demonstration the police used their guns and some of the demonstrates even died. So this celebration day is also a memorial to the victims of the demonstration.
Recognizing that half of the world's languages are at risk of extinction, UNESCO has made it its mission to promote languages as a symbol of cultural identity. UNESCO estimates that every two weeks, one language becomes extinct, and 40% of the population lacks access to education in a language they speak or understand. This highlights the necessity to celebrate International Mother Language Day to make progress in addressing these issues, educating those who are unaware of them, and ensuring that everyone has access to education in a language they comprehend, thus averting educational gaps and miscommunication.
On the International Mother Language Day, the goal is to celebrate our diverse cultures and languages while also educating others about global challenges. It is an opportunity to bring attention to and appreciate our own and others mother languages.
​So come and celebrate with us!!

Milena is a german volunteer involved in The Mother Language Day

Since 22 December 2015 when the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution A/RES/70/212, we have recognised and celebrated the International Day of Women and Girls in Science on 11 February. This international day aims to both recognize the importance of women's work in science and promote science fields for girls and women.
 
In today’s society there are persistent gender inequalities in science. Firstly, there are fewer women than men in science, especially in STEM-subjects. Only 33,3% of researchers are women, which is a problem in itself, because of the lack of diversity. Likewise, there are also present gender inequalities between men and women within the science fields. Women are usually being given smaller grants for research, and they have shorter careers. Women are paid less and are less likely to have higher positions or leadership roles. 
 
Women’s representation in science fields is important for many reasons. One important reason is that we need to gather all talent and potential in order to work towards solutions that secure a more sustainable future. To achieve the 2030 agenda by the UN, we need more women in science. Diversity brings new perspectives, innovation and ideas which are important for achieving the 17 sustainable development goals. Regarding this international day, it is relevant to allude to the 5th goal of “Gender Equality”. Promoting women in science, will fight gender inequalities within the science fields, as well as give women better opportunities for participating in society.
​
One explanation for women’s lack of participation in science and STEM subjects can be found in gender stereotypes. Gendered stereotypes are imposed on both girls and boys from an early age and can affect their choices later in life. Stereotypes work as barriers for women to go and excel in the science fields, especially in the STEM-subjects that stereotypically are associated with masculinity and perceived as male-oriented. Furthermore, gender stereotypes can be reproduced and practiced in all of society. They can be reinforced by your family, friends, in literature or even at school. “These can be found embedded in curricula, textbooks, and teaching and learning practices. The choices imposed upon girls in school shape their careers and employment opportunities as adults.” says Sima Bahons, head of UN Women. It can be hard to break these stereotypes because they are so embedded in culture and discourses. Nonetheless, it is deeply important to break down these gender stereotypes that prevent girls and women from pursuing science. 

It is important to focus on how to promote science for women in practice. We need participation and engagement from individuals, groups, institutions, educational institutions and the international society for change. It is essential that institutions and leaders promote women’s and girls’ access and participation in science field science. However, if gender gendered stereotypes and norms are thoroughly embedded in a society, progressive engagement and initiatives may not have the desired effect in practice. Therefore, it is important to acknowledge that we need to work all-encompassing and on different levels in society  regarding this issue. To be more specific, UN WOMEN brings a quote from the Secretary-General: “initiatives such as new scholarships, internships, and training schemes, but also quotas, incentives and mentorship programmes, to help women overcome entrenched hurdles and build their careers.”. These are examples of concrete initiatives that can generate change and promote women and girls in science.

Sources: 

• https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/02/1133367 

• https://www.un.org/en/observances/women-and-girls-in-science-day/assembly 

• https://www.un.org/en/observances/women-and-girls-in-science-day/assembly 

• https://www.unesco.org/en/days/women-girls-science 

• https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/in-focus/2022/02/in-focus-international-day-of-women-and-girls-in-science 

• https://www.un.org/en/observances/women-and-girls-in-science-day 

Mille is a danish volunteer involved in The International Day of Women and Girls in Science

Nele is a german volunteer involved in ​The World Radio Day

​Being mutilated for who you are.

More than 200 million girls and women alive today have undergone female genital mutilation in countries where the practice is commonplace. This is very serious, and deserves more attention from the whole world, on behalf of women.

​On the 6th of February, we celebrate the international day of zero tolerance against female genital mutilation. This day has been created by the united nation in 2003, in the hope to end this practice in the entire world before 2030. Last year, UNICECF celebrated this day, by cooperating more with boys and mens (without excluding women) to transform social norms and to create a new positive norm. The main goal of this partnering was to ensure families, communities, institutions, policy makers to support girls and to promote the elimination of female genital mutilation. Both of the engagement is necessary to break the barriers and make people aware of gender, norms that sustain this harmful practice. Men should recognize their privilege, then they could use it to transform the attitudes and behaviors.

Female Genital Mutilation, otherwise known as « FGM » comprises all procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, without valid reason, without their consent. The girls are young most of the time. There is no medical reason, because there is not even an anesthesia. It hurts a lot. The girls can have serious problems later, or in the present moment, as death. To add, they can be traumatized. It can cause them psychological problems, such as a drop in self-confidence, and to others, especially men.  

​The origin of this practice is unknown, historically and geographically. There are hypothesis. Some thinks that this practice is born in the middle east, and then moved to Africa by Arabs merchants. In the past, female genital mutilation were used in a medical way to solve mental disease (for example hysteria). Women’s sex was considered as a problem. It was also here in the slavery period.

It’s a traditional ritual in Africa, and also in Asia. A woman, before mariage, is mutilated, to make sure she has no particular desire for another man or sexual relationship. This is also for the pleasure of the man, so he can control everything. After mariage, the man has to cut with a knife the seams if she has infibulation, wich means, if the lips of her vulva are sewn shut. A woman is not « desirable » is she is not amputated. This practice is also used to reduce the libido of the women. There is a link between this ritual and our society. In some countries, women are still submissive and men are in control. Mindsets around the world are not the same, but one thing's for sure: women will have to keep fighting for years to come, even if there has been a lot of progress on this front. Every woman in this world must be able to choose how she wants to live her life, who she wants to love.

​Having a limb amputated because you're a woman is destroying someone psychologically and physically for the rest of their life.

Nina is a french volunteer involved in The NO TOLERANCE AGAINST FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION WORLD DAY 

The World Wetlands Day is Celebrated annually on 2 February, this day also marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar on the shores of the Caspian Sea.
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of Ramsar sites. It is also known as the Convention on Wetlands.
When a wetland belongs to the list of Ramsar sites it's because they meet the Criteria for identifying Wetlands of International Importance. The first criterion refers to Sites containing representative, rare or unique wetland types, and the other eight cover Sites of international importance for conserving biological diversity. These criteria emphasize the importance the Convention places on sustaining biodiversity.
Today, the Ramsar List is the world’s largest network of protected areas. There are over 2,400 Ramsar Sites on the territories of 172 Convention Contracting Parties across the world, covering more than 2.5 million square kilometers.
A broad definition of wetlands includes both freshwater and marine and coastal ecosystems such as all lakes and rivers, underground aquifers, swamps and marshes, wet grasslands, peatlands, oases, estuaries, deltas and tidal flats, mangroves and other coastal areas, coral reefs, and all human-made sites such as fishponds, rice paddies, reservoirs and saltpans.
It’s important to celebrate the World Wetlands Day because this day serves to highlight the influence and positive production that wetlands have had on the world and brings communities together for the benefit of Mother Nature. This day also raises global awareness of wetlands' significant role not only for people but for the planet. Community protectors and environmental enthusiasts all come together on this day to celebrate their love for nature through celebration, which recognizes what wetlands have done for not only humans, but all sorts of organisms in the world.
This year, World Wetland Day 2024 will focus on the theme of ‘Wetlands and Human Wellbeing’. The theme recognizes wetlands as critical to people and nature, underscoring the intrinsic value of wetland ecosystems and their benefits and services, including contributions to sustainable development and human wellbeing.

Mathilde is a french volunteer involved in The World Wetlands Day