Underrepresentation. Unpaid maternity leave. Gender pay gap. Breastfeeding shaming. Catcalling. Domestic violence. Slut shaming. Restrictive reproductive rights. Sexual abuse. Rape.

Need we say more? These among countless others are challenges women face every day across the world, and it is why celebrating Women’s History Month is so important, especially for addressing underrepresentation.

Because women’s history was unknown in classrooms and to the general public, the Educational Task Force in Sonoma County, California initiated a “Women’s History Week” in

1978. Because of word of mouth, many states followed through which lead Congress to declare the whole month of March as Women’s History Month.

Every year on March 8 is International Women’s Day (IWD) which recognizes the political, social and economic achievements of women, according to IWD’s website. This year’s theme, #PressforProgress, is a call-to-action to press forward and progress gender equality.

The website calls #PressforProgress, “A strong call to motivate and unite friends, colleagues and whole communities to think, act and be gender inclusive. We can’t be complacent.”

The day includes talks, rallies, networking events and marches across the world.

Because of the recent #METOO and END IT movements, women are no longer staying silent, but rather speaking up to crush the patriarchy. Women are edging closer toward gender equality, but there’s still work to be done.

We as human beings can’t sit by and watch as women are made out as villains or made to look incompetent. Just a few months ago, Saudi Arabian women were finally allowed to drive. It’s 2018, women are tired of fighting for problems that go unnoticed by men just because they don’t have to deal with these issues on a day to day basis.

If a woman does the same work as a man, then she should be paid the same. She is also not “asking for it” when she wants to wear a cute outfit that day. It’s not that hard. It’s called being a decent human being.

Continuing the fight and celebrating women is the only way to push toward gender equality.

The fight is nearing its climax. We can feel it. Do not be discouraged.

We here at The Spectator respect and honor all women not only through the month of March but every day because without them none of us would be here today. We invite you to do the same.

This editorial was written by a member of the editorial staff and expresses the general opinion of The Spectator.