3/10/2018 2 Comments International Women's DayThursday 8th March. International Women’s Day. A day celebrated by women and men all over the world, to appreciate female achievements throughout history and across the globe. On this day, we hold our glasses up to a gender, which was once considered the subordinate, the insignificant and powerless, who have made such remarkable advancements in social, economic, cultural and political equality in society. There is no doubt that such societal amelioration couldn't have been as effectively achieved without certain members in our community, both historical and modern, striving to make a change and standing strong for what they believe in. The Suffragettes, and their both peaceful and radical movements towards achieving a woman's right to vote. Eleanor Roosevelt, taking advantage of her title as First Lady to take inspiring actions on female equality in the working environment - giving them a stronger voice and security in our Capitalist society. Maya Angelou, using her persona as an African-American female and her powerful voice as a writer to attack both racial and gender discrimination. The list could go on and on, and I hope more and more activists can be added, because although (especially in our country) women have reached a respectable equal place in society and have been in such a place for some time now, other cultures in the World have not quite reached the same outcome. Therefore, I am in complete support of dedicating this day to female empowerment to both appreciate all the hard work orchestrated by certain figures since the First Wave Feminist movement and to give hope to women around the World who we have not quite reached out to. And to support this day, I have seen all over social media, people honouring the women they are most inspired by: their mothers, their friends, their partners, their role models and mentors - and it's refreshing to see people appreciating those outside of the 'media's eye' and the celebrity campaigning, because the little personal acts of female empowerment are just as important as the global ones. So, let me briefly do the same, and honour the following women in my life: my mother, both my nannas, my sisters and my friends, who each support me and keep me grounded in their own unique ways - whether through providing me with motivation, reasons to smile, reasons to laugh and means to have ambition. However, it is not only these women in my life that make me the woman I am today. And brings me on to the main point of this article I am writing, and that is that men should also be included in the celebrations and appreciations on International Women's Day.
I refrain from digressing into too much of a political rant over who I would normally refer to as "Feminazis" or the disciplinary Divas that some modern day feminists shape themselves as, critiquing men and turning an equal society in a Matriarchy (which is just as poisonous as our once Patriarchy). But, I do feel that men seem to be getting the brunt of some feminist movements that have been occurring recently. Since feminism has become such an important topic in society, it has also become equally as prominent in the school curriculum (through studying feminist literary texts, social constructs of genders and the female role in the media) and it makes me feel uncomfortable to witness a male feel uncomfortable when such topics are brought up (purely out of fear of having an opinion on it in case of extremist-female accusations). Although historically seen as the most dominant gender, having most control over and responsibility for subverting the female role, such societal amelioration since has caused men to support female empowerment as well. Real and effective feminism is not about women superiority and acting revengeful towards men, but it is about equal rights and opportunities for both genders - allowing both to have voice. And because of this, I feel it is not right for a man to feel inadequate and uncomfortable when it comes to feminism. Those in society who maintain traditional, discriminatory values are not only male, but females as well - some even that mask themselves as feminists, but among their extremist ideals, are producing dangerous sets of values that restrict women of particular identities and making certain roles in our community feel out of place (for example, Germaine Greer and her trans-phobia, and her strong opinions on contraception which could be seen as limiting women of their sexual freedom). If we are going to celebrate these famous feminist figures on International Women's Day, we should then be celebrating the male famous figures that also have had their contribution to female empowerment - as they prove you don't have to be a woman to be a feminist. Prince Harry, "When women are empowered, they immeasurably improve the lives of everyone around them - their families, their communities, and their countries. This is not just about women, we men need to recognize the part we play too. Real men treat women with dignity and give them the respect they deserve." Will Smith, giving his daughter identity and control over her own body from a young age, teaching her to grow up knowing that the only person in charge of her is herself. Ashton Kutcher, addressing the importance of sexual freedom and confidence among women outside of reproductive needs. Barack Obama, supporting the Times Up campaign and refusing to give up the fight against pay discrimination. And again, the list goes on. I've written this article from a reasonably feminist perspective, although (like said before) I identify myself as more of a equalist (which I feel has a broader approach to equality, between genders, race, sexuality etc.) So, I am about to add some controversy to the media feed surrounding International Women's Day and honour the male figures in my life who have also made me the woman I am today: my father (who has taught me the importance of having a strong work ethic and being independent and has mostly encouraged me to embrace who I am and what I believe in), both of my grandfathers (who have also supported me and showed me strong paternal love), my friends (who prove that a valuable relationship between a man and a woman does not have to be based on romance) and even my brother (who has showed me there is nothing wrong with vanity and self-confidence, and that sometimes you do just have to be a dickhead to get things done.) So, both men and women should be encouraged to celebrate such an anticipated day, because, as a united and equal force, we are much more stronger and effective.
2 Comments
Reedy
3/10/2018 09:37:20 am
Gotta say, this is a banging article
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Calum
3/11/2018 04:06:36 am
Very good read and very well thought out!
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April 2018
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