In approach of Women's History Month, a Reflection from 2014: In Observance of International Women's Day... A Letter to My Students

Hello Class and Happy International Women's Day,

This day matters. Every day matters because every day can be a day where you contribute to social justice. 

I celebrated International Women's Day at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City with Former Secretary of State and First Lady, Mrs. Hillary Clinton, the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, and UN Women Executive Director, Ms. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, to name a few.

Each had poignant words in observance of this special day and it is inarguable that every person gathered in that room was there for one reason--to show support for equality of the sexes, but more importantly, to ardently and ploddingly continue the pursuit of global gender equality. Most would be in agreement that it is time to quicken and intensify our efforts, and as  Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka proclaims, "The 21st century offers an opportunity for a big leap forward-not just baby steps." 

You don't need to be the next Hilary Clinton or UN Women Executive Director to do something about it. You don't need to travel to Africa, Peru, or Yemen to advocate for gender rights. You can do it right here--in your town, your state, your country, your school, and even from your computer. 

Sign digital campaigns, and follow social equality organizations and leaders on Twitter and Facebook. You will have a whole world of information available to you and will learn things that you would not have known if it wasn't for social media. Do something empowering with your cellphones, with your social media accounts--with your lifeNo one person can be responsible for a task that as a global community we need to address but imagine what change can come when driven by a unified force of many.

And through it all, remember to stay positive and believe in the power of possibility. Getting angry doesn't do much besides keep you angry, and keep you from, well, keeping on. The only tried and true emotions that translate well into action and belong in the fight for gender equality are passion, belief, and perseverance. 

This International Women's Day, I invite you to share a positive intention you have for the lives of women, men, boys, and girls. Respond to this message, tweet, post, share, tell, and most importantly, do. Your responses will strengthen your own voice and echo the voices of many, offering inspiration and validation that you do not stand alone. 

Yesterday I was in a room with some important people; but I share the room with important people every time I get to teach you... 

Here's to working towards our goal of gender equality where the strength of our voices matches the boldness of our actions.

Happy International Women's Day, 
Professor Walker

By Danielle Craig.

All Rights Reserved.

 

 

 

 

Social Media and Gender Equality: Why Online Activism is Just as Important as Offline Activism

Gender inequality is the world's most wide-spread and destructive inequality, now top priority on the agenda of the world’s greatest humanitarian organization, the United Nations. With the ongoing surge of communication technology gaining in force, young and old generations alike are communicating on a digital circuit of social media networks, blogs, and cellphone applications from one ocean to the next. 

Beatrice Frey, Social Media Manager of UN Women, believes while education is the true key to gender equality and freedom, that social media can be a promising tool to empower women and girls. 

This is a threatening yet exciting time – on the brink of sweeping global change – where injustice and human rights are now a world priority. Let’s be clear on one specific point; offline activism, that is, grassroots organizing and groundwork, is as important as it has ever been, and nothing can ever replace face-to- face interaction. Frey makes the distinction between offline and online activism but notes that they are both useful and necessary for gender equality and social change.  “ I believe social media can be a great additional channel for activism if linked to other channels of offline activism,” she states. “Social media should never be the only communicative tool but one of several for outreach and communication which depends on the target audience and goal.” 

After all, social media is not now beneficial to people who live in a region that does not have computers or the Internet. Frey comments that the digital divide is still present and limits global connectivity in certain parts of the world. Sometimes the most effective protocol is community radio, flyers, TV, or even cellphones that can send emergency alerts and provide hotlines. Though, if initiatives were taken to digitally connect a rural area, the potential to foster individual and community awareness for gender equality is endless. For instance, Frey points out, access to social media allows women specifically   to   acquire health services and information, education, or even promote a political presence for those women running for office. UN research has indeed demonstrated when women are in decision-making positions in their communities, the gender gap is lessened. UN Women, 2011-2012 Progress of the World’s Women)

As long as the digital divide does exist, however, social media is instrumental for representing those women who do not own computers or have Internet access, enabling them to participate in social media. International organizations that work directly with these women – Amnesty International, Save the Children, Human Rights Watch, Vital Voices, Equality Now, and Soroptimist International are just a few that have access to social media – do broadcast to their international partners and the public to gain allies, volunteers, staff, and board members for funding and support. Social media has shown great strength as an alternative strategy for advocacy and global consciousness, supplying valuable information that may not have been so easily accessible. 

Frey remarks on the public interest that has been aroused by online social networks, putting pressure on authority so that they cannot ignore the voices that otherwise may not have been heard without social media. 

Even the UN began exploring unchartered waters a couple of years ago with several social media channels through YouTube, Flicker, Twitter, Linked In, Facebook, and more, whereas traditional media forms did not allow for outside interaction with the general public.

How can we contribute to the power of a collective – a collective body that fights injustice and overcomes barriers? How can we harness the power of the almighty tweet? Or the WordPress blog or the Facebook post? If government officials and civilians use technology to participate in global justice, then social media can be an influential means for resolution through cooperation and community. 

Of course, social media can be used to perpetuate gender inequality just as much as it challenges it, which is why we need to be much more conscious of how we use social media. Social media networks that promote sexism, or any other kind of “ism” for that matter, are being used negatively but, unfortunately, effectively.

Anyone who has been following the latest news on Facebook pages degrading abused women, can testify to this. But let it not go unmentioned that a petition was sent to Facebook and tweets were sent to companies being advertised on these pages to pull ads in response, demanding that Facebook re-prioritize the material they censor and remove those hateful, sexist pages. After growing criticism, Facebook admitted to ineffective policies on hate speech and vowed more proactive training for staff moderators to prevent future occurences.

What happens when social media is used for social good? It sparked enormous public outcry, for example, for Kim Lee, sharing images of her beaten face, and consequently becoming the first woman in China to be court granted a divorce from her abusive husband. Social media unified a socio-political revolution in Tahrir Square. It exposed, via Tumblr, a gang rape joke directed at a female audience member in a Daniel Tosh comedy show. It unveiled shared experiences of sexism to the Everyday Sexism Project on Twitter with over 54,000 followers. It mapped the location of a sexual harassment incident on a city grid map using the Hollaback! phone app or website. 

Frey notes, “Global consciousness existed before social media but social media is a tool for accessing a worldly consciousness.” This promising technology is a bridge between human ingenuity and compassion. All great change begins with an idea and the will to make it happen. Social media is the idea; social media users must have the will.

Is social media going to save the world? With cautious optimism, it is not the only and absolute answer the world needs, but it is an essential new tool as we move into our future. 

Progressive social media shatters the patriarchal myth that men and women are too different or separate to be equal, while eliminating the geographic borders between us. For this reason, every connected woman and man can be educated, enlightened, and connected. The UN bears great responsibility to its global citizens who, above all, value human rights. So too, does social media when it is utilized for this higher purpose, which is why social media must always enter the conversation on gender equality strategies inside and outside of the United Nations.

By Danielle Craig

All Rights Reserved. 

 

UN CSW57 and Global Violence Against Women; Final Outcome Document Leaves Some Women Unprotected

Whenever a mass of people gather to discuss crucial world issues of international interest there is bound to be high energy, new collaborations, and old ideas transfixed with future promises. The Commission on the Status of Women(CSW) was no exception as thousands met at the UN Headquarters this March to deliberate on the priority theme of worldwide violence against women and girls, arguably one of the world's most unsolved injustices. 

Despite all the positive discussion on this hugely important priority theme of gender violence, not all member states were in agreement on major points for the eradication of violence. Take the New York Times article on the "Unholy Alliance" of Russia, Iran, and the Vatican who opposed certain language in the final outcome document that they believed to threaten their culture and religion. As if, certain forms of violence under specific circumstances were tolerable as long as they did not infringe upon their belief system. This included and ultimately prevented the formal mention of violence that occurs in partnerships outside of marriage, the protection of specific groups of women from violence, most specifically, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender ​women or sex workers, and single mothers. This begs the question; why are these disagreeable countries at the table to begin with if they do not wholly embrace the protection of all women and girls, if they seek to fulfill and maintain archaic and sexist cultural standards that allow the assault and abuse of select women? 

​ I see the CSW as an amazing starting point that is necessary to reach a gateway to a more promising future, in this case, a future free from gender violence and hate. Action first begins with thought, dialogue, ideas, and intentions. Discussion is essential but that is not where it ends. Work must never cease, the cause never tire our brains and plague our souls to the point of immobility. Nor should illogical traditions steeped in patriarchal values that protect a corrupted belief system and socio-political institutions be given the space at the United Nations where intentions should be pure and objectives, progressive.

Violence can never be justified or validated towards any group of women and those member states that believe so should be considered as serious blockades to the forward thinking work of the CSW. Although, the risk in excluding or barring countries entirely means there would be even more antagonists and this seems counterproductive to the process of violence elimination. Surely it requires global cooperation and partnership. Is it better to have partial inclusion and participation from certain conservative countries clinging to sexist values than no support at all and an empty seat at the panel? 

I will continue to hold the belief that having the CSW is better than it not existing. My only critique is to be wary of who we are allowing to speak on behalf of the world's women. ​I envision a future CSW where all in attendance are fully vested in the interests of all women in their varying forms; wherein diplomats and NGO representatives share a genuine compassion that begins in the heart, with brainpower trailing shortly behind. 

By Danielle Craig. All Rights Reserved.

​Sources:

Butler, Maria. "Reflecting on the CSW57: The Good & Bad." Peacewomen.org/publications_enews. PeaceWomen ENews, 22 March 2013. Web.

"Unholy Alliance." Nytimes.com/2013/03/12/opinion.​ The New York Times Opinion Pages, 11 March 2013. Web.

"#CSW Agreed Conclusions-What Do they Mean for Women's Rights?" http://www.soroptimistinternational.org/who-we-are/news/post/467-csw57-agreed-conclusions--what-do-they-mean-for-womens-rights. Soroptimist International, 28 April 2013. Web.