Thread by @SatraPeach

Today is International Women’s Day. As usual, social media will be flooded with pastel colours and “girl bosses” and “bad ass bitches” and so on.

I’d like to bring attention to some of the atrocities that occur in this world, that affect females only or disproportionately. #IWD

- Domestic violence, including physical, sexual, emotional abuse, financial & coercive control. A pattern of constant threat. 1 in 3 women worldwide have experienced partner violence. On average, one woman a week is killed in Aus at the hands of a current or former male partner.

- Female genital mutilation affects at least 200 million women and girls alive today. It is linked to a range of poor health outcomes including fever, infections, vaginal and menstrual problems, and psychological trauma. It can also lead to death.

- Child brides are common in many countries, with “marriage” at an early age linked with increased risk of domestic violence, pregnancy during adolescence, and the disruption or end of educational opportunities.

- Female infanticide is the deliberate killing of baby girls and is the most common form of infanticide. This shows how little females are valued in many cultures that have an overwhelming preference for sons.

- Sexual violence including rape and assault. 1 in 5 Australian women has experienced sexual violence since the age of 15.

- Little or no access to resources - in some countries, women are not allowed to go to school, drive, or even leave the house without a man’s permission.

- Intense patriarchal fashion & beauty standards which encourage the sexualisation of women & girls seen as objects for the male gaze. (Notice how the plastic surgery trends are for sexualised areas - big lips, bums and boobs, and that very young girls are influenced by this?)

- Gender identity ideology which has led to laws allowing males in women’s prisons, women’s sports and awards now open categories for both males and females, young girls on hormones undergoing radical surgeries, and threats and abuse to any woman speaking out against this.

- Sex trafficking, prostitution, and pornography significantly affect women, and are responsible for many detrimental physical, mental and sexual health outcomes for survivors. Many women have been abused or killed due to these male-influenced “industries”.

- Medical trauma during pregnancy and childbirth can involve women feeling disregarded and mocked during this pivotal time, and helpless in decision making about interventions for their bodies. Consider the “husband stitch” after vaginal birth, which is purely for male pleasure.

This list is not exhaustive, but shows much of what feminism is about, and what feminism fights for. Feminism is about liberation from oppression. Oppression that is based on sex - being born female. THIS is what is worth fighting for: women’s rights.

Sex and the accompanying oppression and hardship is not something that can be “identified” out of. Sex is real, binary, and it matters overwhelmingly for daily life and functioning.

Alternatively, the fluffy western liberal feminism that is extremely popular on social media is preoccupied with “identity” and “individual choice” which is nebulous and ignores the harsh reality that many females face.

This brand of feminism reports that it is “empowering” for women to have an Only Fans, post flirty Instagram selfies, and reclaim awful slurs like “slut” and “whore.” With some critical thinking, we can see that this is not really feminism.

It’s “me me me” feminism that focuses on the individual, instead of bringing all women forward. In fact, that brand of feminism repackages oppression and says “hey look, it’s actually empowering now because it’s my CHOICE to capitulate to the male gaze.”

But choices aren’t made in isolation of influence. It’s still about the male gaze. It still encourages oppression and being seen as no more than a sex object. This sets women backwards. I ask you, when was the last time a male celebrity posed nude in a quest to feel empowered?

This sort of feminism insists that feminism is for “everybody”, including men who insist they are women. I ask you, when was the last time men were asked to step aside and hand over their rights for the benefit of other groups?

REAL feminism is about fighting for women to live in a world that is safe and free from the atrocities above.

Happy International Women’s Day.