Feminism is by no means purely a woman’s issue, and over the decades it is now finally seen as a topic everyone should familiarize themselves with moving forward.
As a woman, you may well have not personally encountered any overt setbacks or issues directly surrounding the difference between how males and females or any other genders are looked upon and treated, but this does not mean, in any way, that such issues are not exceedingly prevalent around you.
With this in mind, continue reading to learn how to be more active in the modern feminist landscape and the key areas in which changes need to be made.
Become More Aware of Your Privilege
Living in the United Kingdom, even though there are most definitely a host of issues relating to feminism, none of them come remotely close to the isolation and in some cases, abuse, women in other countries experience.
One step to becoming more of an active feminist ally, then, is to encourage yourself and your friends (men as well as women), to recognize your privilege and generally appreciate your position in Western society.
Crucially, there is no shame or embarrassment to be found in experiencing the freedom you yourself live out in everyday life, but more a simple recognition that the UK and other countries in the Western world are ‘doing much better’ than countries further away from here. That doesn’t mean we don’t have a long way to go, but just to help others to reach where we have gotten to.
Fight Bystander Apathy by Being Strong Yourself
It would be unfeasible to expect any women, no matter their age, lifestyle or personal background, to be able to go out there and fight for equality when they are under immense amounts of stress, either in their professional life, personal life or, indeed, both.
Luckily there are a wealth of ways in which you can practically seek to reduce your levels of stress and anxiety yourself, as well as approaching one of the few medical cannabis clinics in the UK to see if the medical professionals deem it appropriate to prescribe you a course of medical cannabis to help you cope with the stress of the world around us.
Support Other Women
Even though there is no question or loving, supporting and motivating your female friends and family to be empowered and chase their dreams, sometimes it is understandably easier and more conducive to a ‘quieter life’ if at work, you regularly let things slide.
If you are dedicated to becoming more active in this area, though, it is time to actively challenge others in your workplace (whether they be above or below you within the company hierarchy), when you see an anti-feminist incident.
Other ways to support other women in your life to work towards the common goal together include the following:
- Purchasing products and services from female-run local businesses
- Publicly celebrating female friends’ victories
- Encouraging women to have a social life away from their partner
- Regularly checking in with those who seem isolated or even lonely
- Involve every woman at work in social gatherings and parties
Educate Others
Over the last ten years or so, the younger generation of both females and males are certainly finding their voice when it comes to speaking up against inequality and beginning to change the way workplaces, companies, media and other industries approach the male and female divide, often with positive results.
Whether you are a mother yourself, or else have nieces and nephews or best friends with children, educating younger people as to what feminism actually means and how it always, without exception, applies to everyone’s life whether they are a male or female themselves, is also a great way of showing your support.
Join Social Media Groups & Conversations
Harnessing the impressive power and huge reach of the various social media platforms now available and the online world in general, is another exceedingly effective way of becoming an ally to feminism.
There are a seemingly endless number of ways in which you, on your own or else with willingly recruited friends, can get involved with the local community, such as standing for a local election in a male dominated field – you would then be a mouthpiece for women who believe they have no options to improve their situations.
Expand Your Social Circle
Finally, yet just as importantly, seeking to break out of your comfortable and normal social group and engage and expand beyond your current social circle is also a great way of spreading the message and playing your part.
In the workplace, for example, if either in your department or another you notice that there are very few women in comparison to the number of men, actively decide to bolster their confidence and ensure they stand up for themselves in a professional context.
