oday, the 8th of March of 2023, is International Women's Day, and we would like to raise awareness about women’s rights, as well as advocate for gender equality and ways to promote it.
This day is meant to recognise and honour the social, economic, cultural, and political contributions of women, and to highlight the ongoing struggles that women face every day. We encourage you to check the website of the European Institute for Gender Equality, an entity that has created the Gender Equality Index Game, which illustrates very well the gender issues we are currently facing in the European Union.
The consequences of gender inequality
Gender inequality harms women and everyone who identifies as a woman, by:
- limiting their opportunities,
- denying them equal rights and protections,
- and subjecting them to violence, harassment, and discrimination.
But it also harms men and everyone that identifies as a man, as it:
- perpetuates harmful gender norms,
- limits their emotional and relational expression,
- and restricts their roles and opportunities.
How you can help
Everyone plays a crucial role in promoting gender equality because gender inequality affects everyone. By taking an active role in promoting gender equality and supporting women's rights, you can help to break down harmful gender norms and create a more equitable society for all. Here are some ways to promote gender equality:
- Speak up. You can challenge harmful gender stereotypes and promote positive images of women and girls by speaking out against sexism, misogyny, and gender-based violence.
- Be an ally. Support women's rights and promote gender equality by being an active ally, speaking out against discrimination and violence, and advocating for policy changes that support women's empowerment.
- Check your privilege. Recognise your own privilege and use it to create a positive change by amplifying the voices of women and girls and supporting policies and programs that promote gender equality.
- Raise awareness. Use your platforms to raise awareness about gender inequality and the importance of promoting gender equality, both within your own community and in the wider world.
- Take action. You can take concrete actions to promote gender equality, such as supporting women-led organisations, promoting gender diversity and inclusion in your workplace, and advocating for policies that support women's economic empowerment.
Last, but not least, let’s all make an active effort to learn about internalised misogyny, about unconscious bias, about intersectionality, but above all, let’s check our privilege and try to walk a mile in a woman’s shoes.
We hope we have touched your heart and mind, and to have raised awareness as to why we still (and very much!) need feminism.
