As Women’s History Month comes to an end, I want to take the time to talk about women who win. All throughout history, countless women have made contributions in Science, Politics, Art and so much more, but their efforts have only recently been recognised. This is why we need to fight the injustices that still exist in this modern age and aide all of the women around us.
What is feminism?
Feminists are often described as rowdy, despicable women who hate men but in fact – feminism isn’t about one gender being better than another, it is about all genders being equal. The actual definition of feminism is “the advocacy of women’s rights on the ground of the equality of the sexes”. This proves that being a feminist isn’t something that you should feel ashamed or disgusted by, it is something that we all should be.
Can I be a feminist?
Yes. Anybody can be a feminist, if they respect all genders and treat them fairly.
How can I advocate equality, if I’m only one person?
This is an understandable argument, but it is important to note that little things add up. Imagine if 46,700 women stood up to sexism today, this may seem like a lot, but it translates to only 100 women per city. You could never be the only person who advocates equality because there are countless others who have the same mindset and perspective as you.
What can I do?
There are many ways you can promote equality and set an example to not only those who are younger than you, but those who are older too. One of the most powerful ways to do this is to challenge those who show sexism and try to explain to them what they’ve done wrong. This may be difficult at times but remember to always behave kindly and it is ok to step away and ask for help if you need it. Many women let everyday sexism happen to them which not only shows men that it is ok to treat them unfairly, but it also gives the impression to women that they are allowed to be treated this way when in reality – they are not.
You could also teach younger children that there are no such things as “girls’” toys and “boys’” toys, – all toys should be played with by everyone.
Who are some of these inspiring women?
The women who inspire us all around us. They’re our family, friends, teachers and celebrities. Here are two women who inspire me:
Mary Anning was a fossil hunter who was denied the right to pursue a career in science and join the Geological Society of London because she was a woman, even though scientists all over the Europe had consulted her on fossils. At age 12 she found fossils that would later set the foundation of Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution. It took many years after her passing for her important discoveries for science to be fully recognised.
Valentina Tereshkova, born in 1937, was the first woman in space and the youngest at age 26. She also is the only woman to make a solo space flight, to this day. Tereshkova achieved this after training as a competitive kite parachutist, without the knowledge of her family, whilst working as a textile worker. Her amazing achievement shows that no matter what gender you are, you can achieve things that are out of this world.
Overall, it’s time that we step up in appreciating and empowering women. Since I’ve only touched the tip of an iceberg, maybe check out some articles, on how to promote feminism to learn more. Or follow some inspiring female women on social media, such as Rupi Kaur and Emma Watson.
Aim high and stay strong!
Khushi, 15
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