The come from north, south, east and west,
They are marching throughout this land,
It is something that women call sisterhood,
That’s beginning to take a stand.
They are women from every race and creed,
They are women from all walks of life,
They are beginning to realise who they are,
Besides a mother, a lover or wife.
I came across this poem while researching my topic of
feminism, and I think that by addressing the fact that women too, are people,
who deserve to be treated as such, would be a huge step forward for gender equity.
The main issues that I want to cover in my speech today, are
the general overlooking of women, the taxation of sanitary products, and the
differences between men and women in the work force.
I think that one of the most common and destructive notions
in the world today is that women should be respected because they are someone’s
mother, someone’s sister, or someone’s partner. I mean, is it so much to ask?
We need to destroy the idea that men should respect women
because we are their mothers, daughters, and sisters, and instead reinforce the
idea that men, and other women should respect us because we too, are people.
Another damaging and dangerous concept is the perception of
women. Even now, women are seen as the lower class, their value never exceeding
that of a man. Now, I don’t know about you, but the fact that I am seen as
inferior to someone merely based on my gender, makes me angry. To quote
something I saw on social media; “I’m angry. I’m angry because the best thing that
a woman can be is a women, but the worst thing a man can be is a woman. Even at
her best, a woman will never be better that a man’s worst.”
This just goes to show how twisted and partial society is,
conscious or otherwise, and that whilst women’s rights have improved vastly,
there is still so much to catch up on.
An issue that I think all of us can relate to is the price
and taxation of sanitary products. Sanitary products are taxed as luxury items,
apparently much less necessary than nicotine patches and lubricants which are
both GST free, seeing as that they are considered ‘‘important health goods”.
I took it upon myself to calculate how much money I spend on
sanitary products for each month. When I added every item together, the total
came to $20.00, now when the average woman has her period 450 times during her
lifetime, that’s just over $8500.00 spent solely for the purpose of what? Not
bleeding out all over the place? What a luxury. To put it into context, I could
get 4 people to New York and back with that kind of money.
On average, women spend an extra $12,500 over their lifetime
just on bras and sanitary products. Now how are we supposed to pay for all of
these expensive, yet necessary items when women, in general are earning less?
While more women are being appreciated for their full
potential, there is still a definite struggle to be seen in the workforce. Men
are still taking credit for women’s ideas, and thus becoming more successful.
According to a study run by the New York Times earlier this
year, more men named John are CEOs of big companies than all women? As alarming
as it already sounds, all Johns make up only 1.6% of the population, whereas
women make up 51.2%.
Now, while it’s all good and well to call yourselves
feminists, it’s not enough, we have to begin to fight for equality, and stand
up for what is right to make a real change in the world. I hope that you can
all join me in the fight for equality, and be proud to call yourselves
feminists.
Thank you
P.S, If you like my blog, or are intersted in learning more about the environment, feminism an re-usable menstrual products, please follow, either via e-mail, or google with the tools to the right.
