I can’t believe International Women’s Day has come around again. Today, I have sent two of my three children back to school, after nearly 3 months of not seeing their friends. It has been a strange year and a lot has changed.
Sadly some things have not changed, and inequality for women is one of these. The CV-19 pandemic has had a huge effect on women across the world. In the UK we have seen domestic violence rise and employment fall, just two of the gendered consequences.
I woke up today to a stream of women positive posts on my social media which I always love to see, however support, friendship and kindness are not an experience shared by all women.
“We can all choose to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality. We can all choose to seek out and celebrate women’s achievements. Collectively, we can all help create an inclusive world.”
From challenge can come change and that is what we need to see.
I realise that a lot of action can be reactive; many women are not afraid to call out inequality and do take opportunity to challenge sexist or misogynistic behaviour. However, that isn’t the same as being proactive, looking for ways to raise women up, and working positively for equality. Within the birth world I see women often treated poorly, and I suppose this isn’t surprising, as despite being a predominantly female experience it is steeped in patriarchy. I see women who are disadvantaged or vulnerable being offered fewer options than those who are more privileged in their everyday life. Bodily autonomy seems to be forgotten and choices are limited further and further as more and more vulnerabilities are added to the mix.
I am passionate about the volunteer work that I do within two organisations and both of those have opened my eyes further to the inequality of our lives and the systemic attacks on women and their freedoms. This year, I pledge to focus particularly on drawing together my passions of supporting birthing women and their families, and empowering survivors of sexual & domestic violence.
www.internationalwomensday.com
#IWD2021 #InternationalWomensDay2021 #ChooseToChallenge