Feminism came a long way in 2018 – but it’s vital we now protect the gains we made
AS 2018 comes to an end, the need to make New Year’s resolutions grows. Eat more veggies, go to the gym every morning, lose 10 pounds – this is how it usually goes. But why keep limiting ourselves to traditional and unattainable personal goals? We should look beyond the usual and towards feminist New Year’s resolutions that will empower us all in 2019.
Feminist activism triumphed in 2018 when Ireland voted to repeal the Eighth Amendment and brave women such as Vicky Phelan and the late Emma Mhic Mhathúna spoke out about how the Irish health system had let them down.
But all throughout the year we heard stories too of women being abused and attacked – the 2002 SAVI report found one in five women experienced sexual abuse in childhood. It was the last comprehensive study on the subject.
Irish women were once more portrayed as objects in the media and often sidelined in working life. At the beginning of the year, gardaí reopened the 1984 Kerry babies case and in December, baby Belle’s body was found on a windswept Dublin beach.
If the past year has taught us anything, it’s that our activism is needed now more than ever. It’s crucial that as we look ahead to the new year, we prepare to protect the progress we’ve already made. Start off by getting active in your local feminist group. Add your voice and experience to the fight for women’s rights.
2018 was the 100th anniversary of Irish women being granted the right to vote and to run for election. When you have an opportunity to vote, no matter how big or insignificant the election or referendum might seem, use your vote. Just 21pc of councillors are women – we have a chance to change that next year.
Women’s voices matter all the time, not just during election and referendum campaigns. Contact your elected officials every month about women’s rights. Email them, tweet them or post comments on their Facebook pages about how important it is that they support women’s rights. Keep up with politics. Engage with the news.
Practice shine theory in your daily life. Coined by Ann Friedman at The Cut, shine theory is straightforward: “When you meet a woman who is intimidatingly witty, stylish, beautiful and professionally accomplished, befriend her,” explains Friedman. “Surrounding yourself with the best people doesn’t make you look worse by comparison. It makes you better.” Friedman is right. Success isn’t finite. It isn’t something that can run out or be used up. One woman’s success doesn’t diminish your own. And when one of your friends or colleagues is shining brightly, she lights you up, too.
Share on Twitter about that great female-hosted podcast you listened to. Share articles by other women. Read books by women. Show your social media followers all the cool things women are doing. If you can, mentor the next generation by sitting down with a young woman and passing on your knowledge and experience.
The gender pay gap is still almost 14pc in Ireland and we have a gender pensions gap of 37pc. One in 10 board members at listed companies is a woman. We soon will have legislation that compels companies with more than 250 employees to report gender pay gaps, but you can help by being open about the salary you are paid. Research average salaries and find out where you stand compared to male colleagues. Transparency is key for moving us all forward.
Negotiate the best salary you can and when your annual review comes around, don’t be afraid to ask for a pay rise. Know your rights at work. More and more people are finding the strength to speak up about sexual harassment and assault in the workplace.
Use your voice to speak up for women who are suffering. Equal pay and voting rights are one thing, but other issues such as domestic violence, sexual assault and childcare costs still desperately need our attention too. Notice where there are wrongs being committed, and don’t be afraid to highlight injustice happening around you.
Be bold and never back down from standing up for what you believe in. That might be hard sometimes but show up on social media and in person for people of colour, low-income women, young people and immigrants: those whose rights are most under threat.
Look around your home life and ask yourself if traditional gender roles play out in your life and hold you back. Do you do more than half of the cooking and cleaning? Do you carry most of the emotional labour for your family? Do you feel obliged to remove all of your body hair all of the time? Do you leave your house without makeup? There’s no need to accept that things have to be a certain way. They don’t.
We can’t let the energy of 2018 just fizzle out. We all have agency and we can all effect change – big and small, globally and locally. So, always make eye contact. Call out mansplaining. Stand up for what you believe in. Accept compliments and never, ever put yourself down.
Women’s voices matter all the time, not just during election and referendum campaigns