By Gillian Berloffe
The title of this column comes from a lyric in Taylor Swift’s song “The Man.” Swift critiques the double standards women face and voices the frustration so many women feel daily.
That is the goal of this column as well, and I hope that I have accomplished that. As this is the last entry in the “I’d be the man” series, it is time to look at the current state of women’s rights and what that could mean for the future.
While we have made significant strides, it feels as though life in the United States is becoming reminiscent of “The Handmaid’s Tale.”
Donald Trump has been the president of the U.S. for just 95 days, and he seems to have spent a large portion of this time actively working to undo decades of progress for women and gender equality.
Just this week, the White House began to publicly search for ways to “boost the birthrate” in America by persuading women to marry and have children.
One idea was an executive order that would offer “national medals of motherhood” to women with six or more children. Interestingly enough, this idea is very similar to an award introduced by the Nazi party in 1938 called the “Cross of Honour of the German Mother” which was awarded to non-jewish women with four or more children. Women could receive a bronze medal for four children, silver for six or gold for eight.
The weird obsession Trump and his cronies seem to have with women giving birth is strange enough, but this further affirms that our government does not view women as individual people. We are vessels to them.
One of the most significant battlegrounds for women’s rights is reproductive healthcare. Under the Trump administration, we have been forced to bear witness to an attack on our reproductive freedoms, and women are dying because of it.
This began during Trump’s first term after his appointment of two conservative Supreme Court Justices.
It was only a matter of time until SCOTUS overturned Roe v. Wade, causing millions of women to lose the right to choose what to do with their own bodies.
Even our right to vote is on the line.
The SAVE Act was introduced in reaction to fears of voter fraud, despite research proving voter fraud is extremely rare in U.S. elections. If approved, voters will be required to prove U.S. citizenship with a birth certificate, U.S. passport, naturalization paperwork and IDs.
This means that anyone who’s full name does not match the name on their birth certificate will face obstacles when registering to vote. Married women who have changed their last name will be among them.
The most frustrating part is that despite everything he has done, Trump still claims he is a champion for women simply because he is pushing transgender women out of sports and forcing “dangerous criminals” out of our country without due process. The real danger lies in misogynistic men who thrive on power and fear.
Despite these setbacks, we are not powerless. From grassroots organizers to elected officials, we are seeing a new wave of feminist leadership that is younger, more diverse and more determined than ever.
Organizations are mobilizing voters and challenging discriminatory laws. But what can YOU do?
Support women’s rights legislation
Advocate for policies that address gender equality and women’s rights such as the gender pay gap, reproductive rights, DEI policies and workplace protection, and much more.
Support women
In order to be heard, we must be loud enough. Amplifying women’s voices and supporting each other can create a pathway for advancement and shift narrative around women’s capabilities and value.
Be vocal online
Although it can sometimes be performative, making/reposting infographics discussing women’s rights or sharing news articles to inform others is better than nothing at all. Letting others know that they are not alone in this fight is extremely important.
Get involved
Involving yourself and actively working for change is one of the best ways to support women and champion change. Organize or attend a protest, join a local group or organization that supports women’s rights, donate, contact your elected officials. Anything to raise awareness.
Educate yourself and others
Educate yourself. Know your rights and learn about the issues that will affect you and other women. Then use that knowledge to educate others.
Vote!
The women of this country fought for decades to give you the right to vote, so use it—not just in the presidential election either. Local elections are just as important because they set the groundwork for major change
Fight back
The future is still ours, but we must fight back to keep it that way. We have been shown time and time again that our rights will not be handed to us, so it is time to commit.
We are not “the man.” We are the women, fighting for our rights.
