Why am I a Supporter?

Women's rights is a problem. As seen in the articles I posted, women are seen as inferior to men. I feel that in this day and age it's time we develop further and give women equal pay and equal job opportunities as well as to be given the chance to stand up for themselves.

I think right now everyone is exposed to this issue. Part of Obama's campaign included equal rights for everyone so it's a pretty hot topic. In my narrative I explain how many girls even at young ages are exposed to male superiority.

Through news reports it is clear that women's rights around the world are being worked on but there are still major obstacles. Especially for extreme countries that are against women such as Pakistan and Afghanistan. Those are issues that will take a long while to iron out. But for most other places around the world things are slowly looking up.

Steps in the Right Direction

The Internationalization of Women's Issues

By Luisita Lopez Torregrosa
New York Times

Click the link below to view the full article!

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/09/us/09iht-letter09.html?ref=thefemalefactor

Things seem to be looking up. The U.N. is conscious of women's issues globally and is working to fix it.

"Today there is greater awareness than ever before that women's full participation is essential for peace, democracy and sustainable development." -Michelle Bachelet

 I loved the idea they have to "elect more women as heads of state and government and to parliaments, and promote more women to corporate boards and executive positions; advance and empower women in the developed and developing world; close the gender pay gap; and improve workplace conditions."

How does that sound? I think it sounds pretty great. Getting women in executive and powerful positions could possibly show people that women have these capabilities and should not be second to men. Closing the gender pay gap is included and of course that's a great step. 

However there is, of course, the people that will just simply think that this would be a terrible decision and if it were to happen, the executive women would make things worse for whatever she was leading.

But let's just try and reach that ignorance by empowering women. In a changing and developing world we need to keep changing and developing as well. Women's rights are a part of that development and growth.  

Equality around the World: Yes, but...

"Equal Rights for Women? Survey Says: Yes but..."

By Victoria Shannon

New York Times

Click below to view the full article!

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/01/world/01iht-poll.html?pagewanted=all

The idea of equality for men and women is accepted in most countries around the world. That's great news! The message is getting out! Oh but wait a minute- it's only the idea that is accepted. There's just the part about putting it into action that is important.

Now, I don't want to sound whiny or that I can't be pleased. I mean, yes, it really is great that more and more people are accepting the idea of equality. But the problem lies in those that say and do not act. In the article I posted above there is a quote that wraps it up quite nicely:

“When you’re left out of the club, you know it,” said Prof. Jacqui True, an expert in gender relations and senior lecturer at the University of Auckland. “When you’re in the club, you don’t see what the problem is” (New York Times, Victoria Shannon).

I am so glad that there are many men for women's rights. But as the quote says, if they're "in the club" they are often okay with just saying, "Oh sure, I support equality for women." Once it gets to the point for women to actually join "the club" though, they don't like the idea quite so much.

All I'm saying is, you're on the right track- just go the extra few steps and follow through with what you say. Be a man of your word. If you don't, what is the point?

A Little Rant and Reasons Why this Blog Exists

It's 2013. I thought that by now we would for sure have the whole equality thing figured out but apparently some people still don't get it...It's been how many years since women could vote? How many years since women worked to have equality to do the same work as men? However, it seems that some people simply overlook those monumental events.

We can show our shoulders and ankles in public now. (Crazy, right?) We're also no longer in the 1950's where women long to be housewives. Women are capable of doing everything men can. Yes, I said it. I can hear the old, white, southern men shouting about it as I type. (Sorry for the stereotype, but it's a pretty safe and accurate one.) 

For crying out loud there was a woman running for president in 2008. A very capable woman. However, some completely disregarded her simply because she is a woman. Again, it's 2013. Really? Let's try something fresh and new and stop this irrational nonsense that estrogen is a disability. 

I can guarantee that all girls at some point in this generation have been told to "make a sandwich" by a boy. What's shocking about it, is that boys as young as age 12 are using such phrases. What does that tell us about how our children are being raised? Maybe being a gentleman isn't as popular anymore but boys and girls alike need to have role models that will show them that equality is possible and important. These stereotypes that women make sandwiches and clean the house can be light-hearted and joking. And sure- whatever- I can take a joke. But if at the root of the joke is honesty...that's just not ok. 

 And something I'll never understand is women who are not supportive of women's rights...If I said to a woman, "do you want to work just as hard as this man and not be paid as much?" 

Why would anyone say yes??

Please. If anyone has an answer to that let me know because I really just can't wrap my brain around it. 

 I do not understand the old fashioned mentality. It's time to move forward to equality for women as well as every other person, no matter their race, religion, or sexual orientation.