March the 8th is dubbed international womens day, its a celebration created to honor all females. Honor what we are, who we are and what we do. For all who identify as female, this ones for us.
For as long as time began women have been subject to only existing for a man, our rights have been stripped away and our voices. Women have been shut down in a male dominant society (dare I say, world) for centuries. The gender stereotype of what it meant to be a woman had us catagorized as 'home-makers' and 'baby-machines', marking our existence purely to procreate and be a dutiful wife. Although these aspirations are perfectly fine to strive for as a woman, the fight is about having the option,the control, the choice of what we do with our lives and not doing what has been expected of us. To be granted the same privallge as men, and to be seen as equal, that is all we have been asking for.
We are now in the 21st century, women have achieved quite some milestones; we can now vote, we are able to work in proclaimed masculine professions, we can drive, we can have leases and contracts without a male signature and we can drink, earn money, go out without a male chaperone. (I understand that within some cultures or religions women are still held under certain rules). For the most part, women are considered free. In some aspects I do believe we have gained a sense of freedom, but it is not enough. When I compare the modern world to that of centuries ago, I can't help but feel as though nothing has REALLY changed. Yes women are allowed to carry out different professions and live in a way that once was considered taboo or illegal.
However, I feel our judgement on progress as a whole society has been clouded by the progress of the modern world. The advancement of the world has changed the things we are able to do and the things we have access to, but lets not mistake the change of the times as progress for women overall. The opportunities created because of the modern world has allowed us to be revolutionaized in a type of way,yes. Nevertheless the fundamental issue of HOW a woman is treated, in my opinion has not changed. Therefore I still wonder, have we really achieved equality ?
After watching 'Miss world 1970: Beauty Queens and Bedlam' (on BBC IPlayer) it was clear to me that throughout 50 years of the Womens Liberation movements, the equality protests and demonstrations led by feminist groups, women are still treated less than by their male counterparts.
If we look at the way the current tabloids and media tarnish and destroy a woman through; commenting on the way her body looks, how much she weighs and passing judgement on how she chooses to present herself. This bares a comparisson to the competitions such as 'Miss World', athough back then it seemed to have been somewhat entertaining for the public (specifically men) to judge and grade women based on their physique. Competitions like this condoned the idea that this treatment of women was okay. This highly televised world famous competition, watched by many, had unknowingly participated in setting the tone for how women would be treated in decades to come.
For so long we have been conditioned to believing that we only exisit to be a part of a mans narrative and not in control of our own.
There is still an uncomfortability about a woman being in control of her own body and choosing to sexualize herself and be proud of how she looks. We have all been taught that we can only exsist in a sexual manor with the approval of men, that our bodies and physical being is to be of service to men. When a woman raps about sexual encoutners and expresses a liking for those actions, it would seem (both men and women) find it distasteful to hear a woman act in any way that is non-dismissive. This double standard indicates that men are only comfortable being in a superior role (sexually) to women when they are dismissive and non-consentive towards actions inflicted upon them. Women are still seen as public property, our bodies are only to be enjoyed at the expense of men. This conditioning is still apparent today, as we see women on social media harassed and bullied because of an unease that still lies within our system.
There is still a lack of punishment and responsibility deemed enough regaurding sexual assult or murder of a woman. We as a whole gender face repercussions from the actions of men, without that single individual facing the consiquences. This is why peaceful protests still exist, because when it happens to one woman, it happens to ALL of us. The disrespect shown, we all feel it, perhaps because we know that it could happen to any one of us and 97% of the time it does.
What is it going to take to convince men that women are worthy?
We are holding men accountable, the establishment and authorities should also do the same. There is not enough things that we can do, protest, or write about to get our message across.
Although I don't believe feminism is enough at this point, it is absolutley necessary in order for us to keep moving forward. Feminism is all we have, but it needs to excell beyond women fighting for women, men need to join us. In order for equality to come into fruition it has to start at the begining, our understanding of what our role is on this planet. We need to look at how we are communicating the importance of each other and what it means to just be a human regardless of gender. Once we then add gender into the mix, this is where it becomes difficult. Matter of fact, we are all one species as humans, yes we are all the same. However the human experience is not monolithic. The problem is, education of differences between us is still taught as if monolithic. For example: A new child in class coming from a different background, race, location; all these things factor into our understanding of the human experience. If you have not encountered anyone outside your own gender, race or background, you lack understanding of what that experience is like. Lack of understanding at any age breeds fustration. When we don't understand something, we disagree with it. Our brains don't seem to comprihend new data (as it were) anything different to our own perspective, so when that is challeneged by a new lens, that is when the unwillingness to accept differences start. Thus racial and gender inequality.
Going forward, I stand by the idea of having mandatory classes throughout institutions, that teach all ages the diffrentitation between genders. It should be compulsary for older males to learn about;
How a female body works, the process of periods and hormones. (as well as their own)
Sex education should include the consequences for both male and females. (too often females are always blamed for pregnancy)
Safeguarding and treatment of others.
What is sexual harssment.
How to treat all genders with respect. (basic human decency)
About the payment gap.
Equal rights amendment. (what is it, what was the aim).
These are just a few of many things I wish would be implimented in the education system to be mandatory. The reason I say mandatory is because I feel it would be the only way to get a male to actually learn about the issues we face with inequality. Otherwise these subjects as history proves, is of no interest to men. If it were, feminism would not exist. I would not be writing an article like this and our fight for equality would not have continued for 50 years. The saddest part of all, is that; all these things we write, the groups we form, the protests we make and the fundraising we do, is only ever going to be understood by women. Men are not going to see or hear us, the issue still remains, that men feel it is not their fight to fight. To walk away from an issue because it does not directly affect you, is a pure example of male privilege.
"...Such has been the patient sufferance of the women under this government, and such is now the necessity which constrains them to demand the equal station to which they are entitled.
The history of mankind is a history of repeated injuries and usurpation on the part of man toward woman, having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over her. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world."
- Opening paragraphs in the Declaration of Sentiments from the Seneca Falls convention, New York. (Library of Congress)
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