Mimosa

Today is International Woman's Day. In Italy, traditionally, many women will have been given a sprig of the fluffy yellow blossom of the Mimosa dealbata. It is also the symbol of the day in Russia.

In the UK little importance is given to this day bar a skilful Google Doodle, an article or two that haven't really hit the headlines and a mention to stand against domestic violence in parliament. In Italy, groups of women will be teeming in the restaurants, leaving their menfolk at home to babysit whilst they celebrate their gender.

In a land where women all have the right to education, can voice their opinions and are considered to be equal to our men, it's easy to forget how fortunate we are. How many of us remember that in 1912 the British Prime Minister, Asquith, refused to sign the document that would give women the vote? It wasn't until 1918 that women did obtain the right, although limited only to those over the age of 30 who owned property. Life has come a long way since then.

A sprig of Mimosa is a romantic gesture that may take away from the women who marched, voiced their opinions, fought and were imprisoned for the rights women in many places have today. I'm no a feminist or have strong political views but have often wondered why we don't observe their memory as they do in other countries.

It's also a day to remember that life is far from perfect. Elsewhere in the world there are women who still suffer unimaginable abuse and have no rights at all.