So, obviously, on International Women's Day, we are honoring the

In the grand tapestry of human progress, the honoring of women has always been a sacred act, a way to recognize the strength, wisdom, and beauty they bring to the world. Yet, as Sophie Gregoire Trudeau so wisely points out, "On International Women's Day, we are honoring the achievements of women, but gender equality and feminism cannot evolve in our humanity if we're not bringing our boys and men along." This truth carries with it a profound revelation: equality cannot be achieved by lifting one group while leaving the other behind. True transformation, true progress, requires that both men and women walk together, side by side, as equal partners in the fight for a world where justice and respect are not determined by the gender of one's birth but by the strength of one's character.

For too long, we have lived in a world where the struggle for gender equality has been seen as the battle of women alone. We have celebrated women’s achievements, as we should, but have often failed to recognize that the path to true equality requires a collective effort—a journey that must be undertaken by both men and women, not as adversaries, but as partners in the shared goal of human dignity. Feminism, as a movement for justice, cannot be one-sided. It must seek the liberation of all people, and in that, it must include both men and boys. For it is only when we break down the barriers that divide us—when we stop seeing each other as separate, but as equal parts of the same whole—that we can build the world we seek.

Look, then, to the example of Nelson Mandela, whose life and legacy have become a beacon of hope for the world. In his fight against apartheid, Mandela understood that true freedom could not be achieved by simply overturning one system of oppression without addressing the mindsets that sustained it. He knew that both Black and White South Africans had to be part of the healing process, that they had to work together to create a society of justice. Likewise, in the battle for gender equality, both men and women must play their part. Men must recognize that their role in society has often been one of privilege, and that in order for women to be truly free, they too must evolve, shedding the chains of patriarchy that have bound their hearts and minds for centuries.

As we turn our gaze to the present day, we see the wisdom of this truth reflected in the ongoing fight for women's rights. Consider the story of Malala Yousafzai, whose courage in the face of oppression has inspired countless young people worldwide. Malala’s message has been one of empowerment for girls and women, yet it is also a message for the world, and for boys and men specifically. For men too must rise, not as oppressors, but as allies in the fight for education, for freedom, for equality. When we look at the strength of those who stand alongside Malala, men and boys alike, we see that true feminism is not about division, but about unity—a unity that calls upon all of us to stand together, to break the shackles of the past, and to build a future founded on equality.

The lesson here, then, is this: the path to gender equality is not one that can be walked by women alone. It is a collective struggle, one that requires the active participation of both men and women. As Sophie Gregoire Trudeau reminds us, we cannot move forward if we do not bring everyone along. Feminism is not a weapon of division; it is a clarion call to all people, of all genders, to rise above the old structures of power and to create a world where everyone—regardless of gender—can live with dignity and respect.

In your own life, ask yourself: How can you be a part of this collective movement toward equality? How can you, whether male or female, help build a world where the voices of all are heard, where respect and justice are not merely ideals, but living, breathing realities? The answer is clear: embrace the principles of equality not just in thought, but in action. Stand alongside your sisters, your brothers, your friends, and your children, and work together for a world where all human beings are treated with dignity and respect. Teach the young, guide the old, and never tire in your efforts. The battle for gender equality is not just a battle for women, but a battle for all people—a battle that requires the strength, the wisdom, and the compassion of us all.