In many cultures, including those in the North American west, women and girls are conditioned to minimize their own importance.  This does not serve us well and everything from our health to our safety suffers. 

I include myself in this as do many of us who serve as advocates against violence against women and children.  We weren’t dropped here in a pod from some other planet like Superman.  We were raised here on this planet among other women and men with oppressive ideas about women that had been passed down through generations.  

So we listen. 

We study. 

We learn. 

We get things wrong.

We observe. 

We unlearn. 

We keep going.

We grow. 

In any case, here are questions to reflect upon about womanhood…….

If being a “woman” is an “identity” then what does that mean for women and girls who are born female?

People ought to be able to present themselves to world aesthetically as they see fit. Men always have. From wigs, heels, makeup, skirts, and dresses…men wear what they please. As they should. 

Meanwhile, of course, no one ever tells them their skirt is too short, their outfit is tacky, or their ensemble is showing too much skin. 

But most definitely, through it all, women and girls and our needs have been ignored. 

If being a “woman” is an “identity” then what does that mean for women and girls who are born female in countries like:

Sudan, 

West Papua,

Congo,

Tigray,

Iran, 

Iraq, 

Afghanistan, 

Mexico, 

Pakistan, 

Haiti

Jamaica

Canada

the United Kingdom

Puerto Rico

the Virgin Islands

the United States of America 

(Realizing that Puerto Rico & the Virgin Islands are US territories)?

Farmer from Molkwerum, Pieter van den Berge, 1669 

If being a woman is an “identity”, who speaks on behalf of femicide? Who decides?  Based on what?

If being a woman is an “identity”, who speaks on behalf of disabled women? Who decides?  Based on what?

Portrait of the physician Abraham Cyprianus

If being a woman is an “identity”, who speaks on behalf of poor women? Who decides?  Based on what?

If being a woman is an “identity”, who speaks on behalf of minoritized women? Who decides?  Based on what?

Portrait of Marshal Francois de Neufville, Duke of Villeroy

If being a woman is an “identity”, who speaks on behalf of immigrant women? Who decides?  Based on what?

If being a woman is an “identity”, who speaks on behalf of female athletes? Who decides?  Based on what?

Portrait of the physician and botanist Frederick Ruysch

If being a woman is an “identity”, who speaks on behalf of abused/violated women? Who decides?  Based on what?

If being a woman is an “identity”, who speaks on behalf of lesbians? Who decides?  Based on what?

If being a woman is an “identity” who speaks on behalf of women’s health–

(pap smears, PCOS, endometriosis, fibroids, adenomyosis, periods, pads/tampons, general vaginal health, maternal health, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, vulvar cancer… )

Who decides?  Based on what?

If being a woman is an “identity”, who speaks on behalf of women in prison? Who decides?  Based on what?

Self-portrait, Carel de Moor

Finally, if questions and issues that focus on women and girls are “hateful”…..why?  Why is it “hateful” to focus much-needed attention and resources on a group that is so vital to this entire planet? When in history has it never not been “hateful” to focus on the well-being of women and girls?

Women and girls have critical issues that have been intentionally ignored, minimized, and underfunded for generations.  But for the voices of dedicated and committed women, nothing changes.  Women are the fire, the match, and the accelerant behind making social change, growth, and opportunities possible for women and girls.  

While countless men have been incredible allies, women make it happen for us.  Please continue to acknowledge, uplift, and support the voices of women who speak/write for women and girls.  This is no time to rest. We have only just begun to fight for what we deserve.