This photo is a compilation of students in grade 9 in UWC and the misogynistic remarks that they have received.
Misogyny,
"The dislike of, contempt for, or ingrained prejudice against women."
When individuals first hear this definition, it doesn't occur to them that school could have a misogynistic atmosphere, that simple comments like "you're bossy" could help this concept thrive and prosper in society. This concept could be entirely new for them, but for innumerable additional women and me, this dilemma is one we combat daily.
"Act like a lady."
When I heard this expression from my grandmother, I thought nothing of it; I crossed my legs, straightened my back, and plastered a smile across my face. I completely relinquished the idea that this behavior exemplifies misogyny. According to a video by HuffPost (48 things that women get told that men just don't), viewers witnessed that misogyny is so engraved in communities that people don't acknowledge its tribulation. All the comments made by individuals mentioned in the video have underlying misogynistic tones. These statements are unnecessary and provocative.
When interviewing Isabelle Barnes, a student in UWC studying in grade 9, she said, "I have heard numerous remarks about my friends, and it hurts me that people cannot see how these opinions can affect someone's wellbeing ."She further elaborated about an instance where she was called autistic in physical education by a male member of the class. "It made me feel angry and disgusted to think that he could abuse his freedom and go out of his way to say these degrading quotes ." These actions exemplify misogyny in a school setting as the individual has degraded numerous women, and Isabelle’s example shows the absurd comments he has stated.
Furthermore, when talking to Chaiti and Varini (Founder of VOWS), they mentioned that "Women get called dramatic, bossy, loud and when we try and defend ourselves our voices are simply not heard." They expressed countless incidents where they were faced with verbal assault for starting a focus group that aims to support women in abusive situations. They decided to start VOWS (voices of Women In Solidatary) to support and uplift women in the UWC community. It is paramount that women like Chaiti and Varini have every right to stand up for themselves without facing backlash, yet women are being criticized continuously for talking back. Why should women get called melodramatic for standing up for themselves when the person that insulted them gets no consequences? This idea of misogyny has embedded itself in daily conversations where right and wrong cannot be differentiated anymore. What's the difference between a joke and a sexist remark? In a school that promotes love and equality, these issues are far from being deciphered.
The VOWS group of 2021-2022 working on posters for an upcoming project they have to raise awareness and speak up for women that are neglected in society.
Misogyny also affects women's performance in a school setting. According to EIGI (European Institute For Gender Equality), "Girls are expected to be good at arts and humanities while boys are good at maths and science ."These stereotypes are being implemented at such an early age and obstruct the amount of freedom that women get. Sahana Mathiarasan, a student studying at Emory University, stated that "society has labels based on their judgments which are not necessarily true ."In a nutshell, if you're a woman, this stereotype could indirectly decide your fate for you.
An example would be sports where many women feel disregarded and unproductive due to bias towards men.
According to The Guardian, "Reports find that 40% of women face discrimination during sports jobs".The gender pay gap, feeling undervalued at work, fewer opportunities for women to advance into more senior roles, and a networking culture that favors jobs for the boys were among the concerns they raised that were cited in the article. When I speak with my peers, they share their apprehensions about participating in class because of the negative remarks they receive. It affects their mentality and self-perception and how they behave at school. Even at UWC, a school known for its forward-thinking and openness to new ideas, countless girls are whinged when selected for the "sporty men's" team. They would feel a lack of interest in participating due to the fear of being judged. No individual should put their education on the line because of fear especially fear that should not exist in the first place.
A screenshot on FORBES HIGHEST PAID ATHLETES where the majority is men and an astounding 2 individuals are women. (This photo depicts the top 8 who all are of the male gender)
It is essential to understand that there is being work done to improve the wellbeing of women, especially in the UWC community. UWC recently celebrated International Women's Day, where multiple services raised awareness about issues crucial to women while some even opted to fundraise money towards their given charity. In the UWC curriculum, there is diversity and inclusivity with women and their education.
When interviewing Isabelle, she stated that it was remarkable and significant that women in the UWC community had chances to take subjects that have previously have been male-dominated fields. "It is incredible that I am fortunate enough to take subjects like design technology, which allow me to break past the gender stereotypes and try out something new!". According to Pew Research Center, women currently make up around 50% of the STEM workforce. The world is constantly evolving, and it's crucial to think about the positive modifications that authorities enforce to support and uplift women. Today, women have three-quarters of men's legal rights, and in 1970, it was less than half. With society raising awareness on this critical topic, this gap could be closed, ensuring an equal environment for all genders!
Picture posted on the UWC EAST Instagram on services promoting International Women's Day.
That being said, I strongly urge everyone reading this to speak out against misogyny and fight for change. Women should pursue careers in male-dominated industries to challenge gender norms. It is exceptionally crucial nowadays to speak out against misogynistic actions and words; every person, no matter how minor the action they do, makes a difference. The first step is to admit that misogyny is a prevalent problem that isn't getting enough attention. Many people think of misogyny as catcalling or sexual violence, but many situations allow individuals to reach that point. It is paramount to educate ourselves on this issue from a young age and raise awareness about this problem that has impacted countless individuals worldwide. I want to end with a quote by Hillary Clinton "Human rights are women's rights and women's rights and human rights."
CITATIONS:
MISOGYNYSTIC MICROAGGRESSIONS TEDXURSULINE ( Mathiarasan 2019)
GENDER STEREOTYPES AND EDUCATION EIGE (2017)
MISOGYNY HATE CRIME THE CONVERSATION (TRICKETT 2018)
SEXISM IN SCHOOL THE INDEPENDENT UK (PELLS 2017)
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