Women’s History Month: Ways You Can Help Empower Women
The movement to create equal rights and challenge gender narratives have existed for many decades. Yet, despite its prolonged existence, changes still need to be made. In light of Women’s History Month in March, it is important to recognise the women who have changed the world around us and to note the ways that we, as a society, can help empower women.
Educate yourself
Education is vital to understanding the current global issues that arise to make women feel disadvantaged or underappreciated in society. For example, the gender pay gap that is still prevalent in many countries, and the gender inequalities that are faced at the workplace. Although in recent years these have been challenged, it is vital to remember the lengths that women have gone to (and still are!) to fight for gender equality. There are a variety of different books and documentaries available that will help you better educate yourself, such as:
• “Women, Race and Class” by Angela Y. Davis.
• “The Persistence of Gender Inequality” by Mary Evans.
• “Feminists: What were they thinking?” available on Netflix.
• “Why Women Are Paid Less” available on Netflix.
Ensure your voice is heard – Say it louder
Everyone has the right to be heard, to speak up for equality and fairness for all in society. However, it can be difficult to confront those with tainted opinions and beliefs about women, or even speaking up for yourself! Regardless of your gender, as a society, we have a right to protect and support all individuals. Not only is it important to speak up when witnessing or experiencing physical or verbal abuse, but it is also vital that we speak up about subjects that are considered “taboo”. Women such as Anita Hill, who spoke about her sexual harassment on a televised committee, and Malala Yousafzai, who expressed her unfortunate acts of violence, have enabled our voices to be heard and paved the way for others to continue to break the barriers of traditions.
Share your experience
Sharing experiences can be tough, but these experiences help other people to not make the same mistakes, or to be aware of the situations they may face in life. Recently, due to the unfortunate passing of Sarah Everard, many women have spoken out about harassment, sexual assault and other experiences that they have faced in their lives. Sharing these experiences allowed individuals to gain tips and advice on how to stay safer whilst alone, men began questioning how they could make women feel safer and technology apps were shared designed to protect women. The feelings of anxiety that women have felt for decades whilst walking alone, even in daylight, must be tackled and sharing experiences can help individuals feel eased at how they may approach it. Of course, sharing experiences is not a HUGE step in changing these feelings of insecurity, but it is a step.
Listen to your friend, sister, mother, auntie, grandmother etc.
Listen to us, hear our stories, cheer us on, encourage us to strive for more. We are tired of hearing “don’t get your hopes up!” as our male colleague is going for the same promotion as us. We are tired of hearing “when are you getting married? “a week after we get into a relationship. We are tired of having to adhere to societies norms to impress others. Listen to what we want in life, not what society wants for us – and be happy for us that we are taking a different route! If you are a man, respect that we want the same opportunities as you, and encourage us to do that! If you are a woman, “empowering women does not come from selflessness but rather from selflessness” – Selene Kinder.
We are all part of the change, regardless of your gender, to help empower women and allow them to feel equal and safe in our society. Listen to women, learn about women, allow us to feel safe and empowered. There is no time for change quite like the present, so let’s collectively make a change now.
