According to the World Economic Forum we are still 257 years [1] away from achieving gender equality. That’s three human lifetimes before women and girls will earn equal pay, cease dying preventable deaths in childbirth, and gain the right to control their own bodies. And global crisis has made a big problem bigger, with communities isolated and left behind in the midst of every-growing inequality.
Existing unequal and unfair work situations become more so, while unpaid caregiving work done by women increases. Domestic violence surges as tensions rise, and women are confined round the clock with their oppressor.[2]
Domestic violence is rooted in gender inequality – as long as women are seen to be inferior, they will be susceptible to all forms of violence. We need to challenge this perception at every opportunity, and make sure that women are equally represented in positions of power and influence. [3]
Violence and female homelessness are closely linked, with victims of domestic violence forced into precarious living circumstances when our system(s) fails to protect them. Women who are already experiencing homelessness are also at far greater risk of physical or sexual violence than their male counterparts. [4]
Here’s your individual activism journey broken down into three simple steps, and a bunch of handy resources to help you on the way.
Yes, the task ahead is BIG. But in the end, real seismic change is just a whole lot of smaller changes joined together.
Books. Podcasts. Instagram posts from accounts in the know. Now is the time to get your eyes and ears on everything gender inequality, so you can ride into this fight armed to the teeth.
Here’s where you spread the social justice word. Tell a friend, regale a colleague - accost a stranger in the grocery store. Each time gender equality is discussed and debated, the movement grows in size and power.
No longer the sole province of hardcore protestors, activism is now accessible to all of us through small but meaningful actions.
There’s no right or wrong way to be “an activist” – as long as you are speaking up, educating yourself and others or taking action to make change. Here are three ways to be an activist:
Knowledge truly is power. We need to understand the issues at hand in order to make good decisions about how to make change. Also, often there are people out there doing a great job in the area you’re passionate about. Learn about who’s out there and what they’re doing so you can put your energy to the best use.
Sharing valuable, sometimes lifesaving information in the blink of an eye? Yes please. Don’t be shy about wearing your values on your sleeve (or your feed). Also, if you see things getting nasty in the comments section, like or respond to the productive and positive comments that are keeping the conversation on track. Comments with more engagement get seen more. Farewell trolls!
There are so many ways to do this. Spend 15 minutes a week learning who your local politicians are and their positions on issues that are important to you, attend a local town hall or meeting or call a politician about something you’d like to see change. AND VOTE!
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
Dear Ijeawele, or a Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf
Women, Culture & Politics by Angela Y. Davis
Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay
Sister Outsider by Audre Lorde
[1] https://www.weforum.org/projects/closing-the-gender-gap-accelerators
[2] Morgan G, Bajpai A, Ceppi P, Al-Hinai A, Christensen T, Kumar S, Crosskey S & O’Regan N. Infrastructure for gender equality and the empowerment of women. UNOPS, Copenhagen, Denmark. 2020.
[3] Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Family Planning and Ending Gender-based Violence, Female Genital Mutilation and Child Marriage. 27 April 2020.
[4] GIWPS. https://giwps.georgetown.edu/at-the-intersection-of-vulnerabilities-women-and-girls-experiencing-homelessness-during-the-global-coronavirus-pandemic/)