International Women's Day 2016
Today is International Women's Day, a day that I feel needs to be acknowledged and promoted far more than it is.
As a #HeForShe, I think today is the perfect opportunity to acknowledge and challenge the social injustice that for so much time and by so many people, is brushed under the carpet (and probably expected to be done so by a woman at that)
Why in 2016 is it still acceptable to pay women far less than men? The fat cats hide behind their masked reasons but the fact of the matter is that they still don't care. Whether you are a man or a woman does not affect your performance in any job role, so why does it affect your salary? And don't even get me started on the opinions of women at work and whether they'll 'up and leave to start a family'. Why is it still common for a woman to be asked about her family plans and why does it matter? Why in 2016 is there still a glass ceiling? You can try and gloss over with excuses but the fact remains that their is no sensible reason that so many higher positions, or political positions are taken up by men.
Why in 2016 is a woman persecuted for sexual liberation but also punished (and in horrific and warped ways) if they say no? This whole mindset of woman being wholly or partly responsible when it comes to sexual abuse or violence because of the clothes they're wearing, or whether they're drunk, or even the whole 'its the way they said it' is mind blowingly stupid and narrow minded in this day and age. The men need to take responsibility and control of their own misguided actions and respect women as equals.
Why in 2016 is there still a fucking tampon tax? I know it's a difficult discussion point for men, even I can't say I like talking about it, but the injustice needs to be raised and challenged. Stop taxing on a product that is so necessary. The fact that it so many men making the decision who have a lack of both wanting to understand, and understanding the matter is beyond me.
Why in 2016 are women still viewed as 'pretty little fools' or 'cleaners and cooks' rather than clever and thoughtful human beings with equal status to men? Celebrity women are still asked about clothes whereas men are asked about political views. Sexism allows a view that housework should be the women's responsibility. Intelligence, something anyone can acquire regardless of gender, sexuality or race is still seen as a masculine trait? How?
So lets, as a society, challenge this outdated views and actions. Lets acknowledge the existence of them rather than brushing it over because it doesn't affect me as a man. Lets not just give up because women have the vote and there's a few ignored laws in place to prevent discrimination. I don't know and I'm not saying I do know what action your or I can take, but take this opportunity to start thinking that if one does come up, seize it and help make gender equality the norm and society a place just as welcoming to women as it is for men.
As a #HeForShe, I think today is the perfect opportunity to acknowledge and challenge the social injustice that for so much time and by so many people, is brushed under the carpet (and probably expected to be done so by a woman at that)
Why in 2016 is it still acceptable to pay women far less than men? The fat cats hide behind their masked reasons but the fact of the matter is that they still don't care. Whether you are a man or a woman does not affect your performance in any job role, so why does it affect your salary? And don't even get me started on the opinions of women at work and whether they'll 'up and leave to start a family'. Why is it still common for a woman to be asked about her family plans and why does it matter? Why in 2016 is there still a glass ceiling? You can try and gloss over with excuses but the fact remains that their is no sensible reason that so many higher positions, or political positions are taken up by men.
Why in 2016 is a woman persecuted for sexual liberation but also punished (and in horrific and warped ways) if they say no? This whole mindset of woman being wholly or partly responsible when it comes to sexual abuse or violence because of the clothes they're wearing, or whether they're drunk, or even the whole 'its the way they said it' is mind blowingly stupid and narrow minded in this day and age. The men need to take responsibility and control of their own misguided actions and respect women as equals.
Why in 2016 is there still a fucking tampon tax? I know it's a difficult discussion point for men, even I can't say I like talking about it, but the injustice needs to be raised and challenged. Stop taxing on a product that is so necessary. The fact that it so many men making the decision who have a lack of both wanting to understand, and understanding the matter is beyond me.
Why in 2016 are women still viewed as 'pretty little fools' or 'cleaners and cooks' rather than clever and thoughtful human beings with equal status to men? Celebrity women are still asked about clothes whereas men are asked about political views. Sexism allows a view that housework should be the women's responsibility. Intelligence, something anyone can acquire regardless of gender, sexuality or race is still seen as a masculine trait? How?
So lets, as a society, challenge this outdated views and actions. Lets acknowledge the existence of them rather than brushing it over because it doesn't affect me as a man. Lets not just give up because women have the vote and there's a few ignored laws in place to prevent discrimination. I don't know and I'm not saying I do know what action your or I can take, but take this opportunity to start thinking that if one does come up, seize it and help make gender equality the norm and society a place just as welcoming to women as it is for men.
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