In honor of International Women’s Day, Tompkins Cortland Community College hosted a panel discussion featuring women from several countries, speaking about their experiences in their home countries. The event was sponsored by TC3’s Office of Global Initiatives.

The speakers represented four different countries, and included both students and a staff member. Shegofa Ibrahimi shared how things had changed in her home country of Afghanistan. “International Women’s Day was focused on women’s rights, but that changed when the Taliban took over,” said Ibrahimi. “We used to have public discussions on women’s rights. Now women can’t go out in public without a man.” 

A hotel and restaurant management major at TC3, Ibrahimi has a goal of owning and operating a restaurant. “I have learned that you can face challenges and that life is still beautiful.”  

Ibrahimi’s fellow panelists, who came from China, Colombia, and Ukraine, shared how International Women’s Day is celebrated in their home countries. In each country, it is an occasion to celebrate and honor all that women do, often celebrated with flowers and gifts. “In China, women get a half day off of work,” said Lijun Xue, who retired from work and is now taking classes at TC3. “Some companies will have commendations for their women workers. And some men will take over the household chores for the day.”

International Women’s Day has been celebrated worldwide since 1911. Led by the Office of Global Initiatives, TC3 has honored the day in a variety of ways over the last few decades, including panel discussions and film screenings.