I'm all for equality and rights for women, It's something thats been a huge issue that I feel needs raised and I've been passionate about it ever since I started looking into it when it took Media Studies at A-Levels, studying the history of feminism (and how it's adapted and evolved in the 21st century) for my case study. It both angered and inspired me to speak about it and express the need for change. Empowering one and Other #HeforSheIt's so crazy to see how much is hidden and/or how much we don't know about how unequal women still are (not to stay there has not been a massive improvement over the years!!), especially in undeveloped and third world countries. My main platform for my case study is HeforShe, which I'm positive I've touched on before. It's a campaign created by UN women and has really inspiring ambassadors such as Emma Watson who has a huge influence on people, especially the younger generation. If you follow her on instagram, she set up an account named 'oursharedshelf' which includes stories about female experience and empowerment. I love it. Being a book worm too, it gives me plenty of educative and motivating recommendations. I really wanted to share with you some stories that made me both emotional and uplifted during using HeforShe as my case study, in the hopes that it both educates and inspires you to do more. Are we Defined by our Gender?When I first read about this particular story, it really saddened me to know how such an innocent thing like choosing to wear a skirt or a dress can determine how you are perceived and treat by others. In a quick summary, Erick Matsanza was outraged to hear about how men were stripping and assaulting women in Kenya simply due to their dress choice, Matsanza chose willingly to stand up and defy social stereotypes by wearing a skirt and uploading it online with #mydressmychoice to encourage others, particularly men to stop playing into the notion that certain clothes must only be worn by a certain gender and to diminish the myth that a dress code defines women. His response, "women have always impacted society in their own creative ways. The men, however, have never stood up to realise and recognise these abilities." This, to me, is what HeforShe is all about, Feminism too because it's not just women who can be feminists. It's about people from all over the world, with different backgrounds and of different genders coming together to show how sexism and inequality should be diminished. This story is motivating because it allows men to realise they too can help change and improve both the society and world we live in. "Fight for Your Queen"If I could get any message across today, it would be that there are SO many ways in which we can change and shape the society we live in. Whether it's through social media, blogging, music, novels and literature, your words... we can help further the movement that is shouldn't even be needed in the 21st century. If you hear or see sexism in the workplace and your position or influence can change what's going on, take advantage of that and be an example to everyone that gender equality is a MUST. If you make music, you can show your platform, your fans, your followers that a society that see's gender equality as the norm and feminism as a positive thing for both men and women is what we should aim towards. We all have a voice and we should be using it for what we feel passionate about. In short, this particular story is about Carl & the Reda Mafia a young and dynamic award-winning band based in Dubai who wrote the song "Fight for Your Queen" which encourages men to fight for gender equality. "The idea of men fighting for women’s rights is something we truly believe in and support. We've got 500 men to pledge and support the movement.” It's not secret that so many people are afraid of that F word, Feminism. Even the word itself has stereotypes to it, no we aren't all man haters who cut our hair and wear no bras. I'd cry if I lost my red locks, honestly. People are beginning to show others that Feminism is about gender equality for both men and women, to not be afraid. Are you #HeforShe? http://www.heforshe.org/en - HeforShe website link
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9/29/2017 01:21:55 pm
Lets accelerate social change at the margins of society. Lets make the world more inclusive.
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