Happy Women's Day
but is it?
Women’s Day is getting trickier by the day. While we see women reaching the moon or flying aircraft, on the other hand, we see an increase in rape crimes, domestic violence, and patriarchal laws. While we see France including abortion in their constitution, we see the United States turning over those laws making it difficult for women to even access safe maternal care. It is so confusing for me… should we celebrate it or should we not? Has Women’s Day become another capitalist agenda for selling spas, gifts, discounts and gift vouchers only?
When I see Women’s Day being held to celebrate women, it feels great! But then, is it only limited to one day? Is it because celebrating Women’s Day is trending rather than making any difference to women in general? Are companies making any reforms to their systems to help women feel safer in the workplace rather than just posting some Women’s Day content? Are governments passing any new laws to help women feel safe?
I see none of that happening. All I see are advertisements targeting women to take a spa day or a gift, or just companies posting wishes for women. It’s frustrating because every day of my life I hear a woman suffering. Not in the news, not in another country but around me. A lady that I came to know recently is being harassed by her boss because she refused sexual favours; A friend who was harassed by a boda driver is now traumatized to go out alone; a friend is having to juggle her work, studies, and children with very little support from her husband. And then you see in the news how a woman was kidnapped but the kidnappers let go with a fine of just Tshs.300,000/-! You see little girls prone to getting raped by teachers, pastors, and family members! You see women on the streets in Kenya in thousands making noise for femicide. You see a woman getting gang raped in India and facing upsetting victim blaming for speaking out. You see women facing the worst of the brunt in Palestine and Congo. You see the economy of Afghanistan beginning to stabilize and work again, yet women aren’t allowed to do anything! You see women in Iran, France and India fighting for the basic right to have the choice of hijab – whether wearing or removing. You see male robots misbehaving with women!!! (like I’m in shock with that)!
The point is there is so much inequality still! And not just inequality but oppression! And what I find extremely sad, and tiring is that feminism, instead of being seen as a movement to help reduce this oppression, all we do is see it as a competition to men. So now not only do women have to keep fighting this oppression but have to spend more time and energy explaining their movement rather than doing the work. It is tiring and upsetting.
But, it is also heartening to see the progress we’ve made. From not being allowed to own bank accounts to women banking leaders. From female infanticide being a norm, genital mutilation or foot binding be part of culture and society, we have come a long way from that. We are making progress and the progress at times is scary. So today, for Women’s Day, I urge all you women to initiate such conversations in your space - with family, co-workers and partners. To the men, I urge you to listen, learn, and educate yourself as to why really we need this movement. Instead of going for a spa day, or expecting a gift, (which is always nice), be the ambassadors of the real change we could make.
Happy Women’s Day to all of you! May we work towards reducing the oppression together! Men and Women!