What Is a Woman?

Women have made great strides in their work lives in recent decades. They are more likely to hold executive positions, more likely to be paid the same as men for the same jobs and are more visible in the media. However, they are still struggling to balance the demands of work and family. Many women still find themselves juggling career and kids, feeling exhausted and frustrated that they can’t have it all.

In addition, they are disproportionately impacted by economic issues such as wage discrimination, lack of affordable childcare and the glass ceiling. And yet, while the number of women in top leadership roles has increased significantly, they still represent only 27 percent of national congressional seats and 30 percent of state legislative seats. In a global economy, women’s participation has a significant impact on business outcomes. In fact, companies that have more women in senior management perform better financially than those that don’t.

When it comes to gender, women are the sex that is more often judged to be weaker than men. But research shows that in many vital ways the female sex is actually more robust: Women are healthier and live longer than men, and they have a greater capacity to bounce back from illness.

It is true that there are certain health risks that come with being a woman, such as the increased risk of heart disease and cancer. But there are also benefits of being a woman, such as lower rates of infant mortality and the ability to bear children. Women are also better equipped to deal with stress and depression and have more social support, which makes them less vulnerable to substance abuse.

The term “woman” has a complex history and continues to be widely debated. In Old English, the word was wifmann and later wimman and wumman, all of which have evolved into the modern spelling of “woman.” During the confirmation hearing for Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson last year, Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn asked her to define the word “woman.” Jackson responded that she couldn’t answer the question because it was far too nuanced. But it wasn’t just Blackburn who was pushing a political agenda with her line of questioning; the whole issue of transgender people has become a major point of division.

So how do we answer the question, “what is a woman?” My definition is simple: a biologically female human being with a vagina and uterus, which allows her to carry a child. Women are also characterized by their femininity and feminine sensibilities, which may or may not include dressing in particular styles of clothing. Women have the power to make the world a more beautiful and more prosperous place. But to make this happen, we must first recognize the inherent value in all of us — and then treat everyone with the respect they deserve. This International Women’s Day, let’s celebrate this power. Let’s recognize the women in our lives for who they are and the amazing things they can do.