By; Sochi Nawegulo
Happy International Women’s Day (well, belated…)
But if you’re doing things right, the women in your life feel appreciated and respected every day of the week. On International Women’s Day, we toast to the political, cultural, economic, and social achievements of women around the world. We show our gratitude and appreciation for the women in our lives. We also recognize the moves made towards gender equality. And take note of the work that still needs to be done.
The theme for this year’s IWD was #EmbraceEquity to highlight that gender equality is not just a conversation for the girlies, but an issue affecting everyone. By embracing equity, we recognize that everyone has a part to play in creating a world where women get the same opportunities as men and are treated with respect.
Which begs the question, are you doing everything you can to be an ally to women?
I’m not talking about opening doors and pulling out chairs at a restaurant. I mean these actions are courteous for sure, but they’re not really helping to close the gender pay gap or end sexual abuse against women. If you’re thinking, “Oh boy, here comes another feminist rant,” then you probably need to read this article more than you think. I mean there’s going to be a bit of ranting, but it’s nothing you can’t handle.
Gender equality and women’s rights aren’t just women’s issues, they’re human rights issues. We fight for our rights every day and it’s not an easy battle so we need all the help we can get to achieve an equal world. For this to happen, men need to question the power dynamics in their words and actions and take responsibility considering they’ve had the upper hand from….. well, the beginning of time.
If we want to achieve gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, we need to challenge the patriarchal structures, institutions, practices, and beliefs driving inequality between men and women. Especially considering the patriarchystill affects those who benefit from it. (That’s right men, I said it). That’s why guys also need to take responsibility for a change and act as gender advocates in the good fight.
Now if you’re receptive to this message, you may be asking, “How can I take action and be an ally towards the feminist cause?”
For starters:
Talk to the girls and women in your inner circle, be it loved ones, family members, coworkers, or friends. Ask how they are fighting for their rights and how you can offer support and show solidarity. That’s honestly the best place to start. Who better to tell you about the struggles women face than the people facing them.
Next, we’re going to look inward. Go to the mirror and….(I’m just kidding, only if you want to) question your behavior. Identify any gender-based stereotypes you might be applying, start unlearning them, and do better to help achieve gender equality. You might have been pointing the finger at others when the call was coming from inside the house the whole time.
Now, you can’t fight for a cause you know nothing about. Pick up a book or two, or better yet, put on a Tembo diaries podcast episode and do a deep internet dive to learn about the women’s rights movement. It has been active for hundreds of years around the world so you can even take time to find out what efforts have been made in your hometown or locality over the years. Learning more about women’s rights is crucial for fighting inequality.
I know some of you might be guilty of this next one whether you know it or not. Avoid sharing content normalizing violence against women, be it verbal, physical, or psychological. Something as innocent as guys joking about having sex with a girl who was drunk can lead other people to think it is okay when it is not. (Remember kids, consent is sexy!) So be careful whose content you share. Some social media influencers propagate hate speech and sexist ideologies to their audiences so be keen on what that type of content looks and sounds like [Case in point: Andrew Tate]
Supporting and volunteering for women’s organizations, associations, and platforms that champion women’s rights within your community can go a long way. Most importantly, if you witness any violence against women in any setting, don’t stay silent or be a bystander. It is a crime and should be treated as such. Learn about institutions and organizations where you can report such issues, aside from the police of course.
Always remember that women’s needs are the main focus in the fight for women’s rights, which is why they are at the forefront of this movement. The journey towards gender equality is a marathon and not a sprint. The best you can do as an ally to the women’s rights movement is to support through your words and actions.
Oh…and bring more people along for the ride by sharing this stuff with everyone around you. You never know who you might inspire to be the next champion for women’s rights.
Until the next one!
