"Feminism is a socialist, anti-family, political movement that encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians." – Pat Robertson (American televangelist, Republican, husband and father), 1994.
Ladies! International Women’s Day was last weekend – March 8th, and while this article would have been good to read beforehand, it still serves a purpose.
IWD is one day when we come together to celebrate equality and liberation as a collective, compare potions and shave our heads, as per above quote. I ‘m just kidding when I say compare potions and whatnot – although my big hair is my greatest asset. The day also reminds us that the greater ideal is to continue to celebrate and fight for justice for women everywhere. Perhaps leaving out the boys occasionally is a productive day for modern bluestockings, and should happen more than once a year.
It only seemed like yesterday when I pulled up the beanbag to watch Mary Poppins and my stomach would tickle with 7-year-old excitement as Mrs Banks would prance into the house singing Sister Suffragette. I’d like to mention to all you worried men out there that Mrs Banks does say, “we do adore men individually… but as a group we think they’re ra-ther stu-pid”. Oh, I just had flashback to Fevola prancing around Federation Square with a plastic penis hanging out of his pants.
The headline should have read: FEVOLA IS A TOSSA, but it didn’t, it read, “AFL star hurls fake penis at women.” He makes the front page again and a few months later no one can actually find the article that tells us a woman has been appointed the deputy education minister of women’s education in Saudi Arabia, which is groundbreaking news. “It won’t make a difference”, says one Saudi expert on women’s rights but it is “a small step in the right direction” she says.
Let me reiterate that although things are generally good - i.e. we can choose any career we want - in a lot of cases it’s still a boys club and it’s pretty tough for a young woman trying to break stereotypes. We band together for good times but sometimes we have mishaps … flashback to a hen’s night I watched parade down Chapel Street in barely any clothes with penis’s hanging around their necks, just last month.
Ultimately, we can forge our own paths and women’s rights are 10 times better than they were when we were bubs. Yet, as career choices and good times are plentiful, we are still highly under-represented on the work, political and media stages and we still get paid less that our male counterparts - not to mention I’d be beaten, gagged and locked up for writing an article like this in some countries.
I’m finding roadblocks are inevitable, especially when trying to break taboos in my chosen line of work. I own a lifestyle/sexuality brand, (Mia Muse) which immediately grabs people’s attention. Then I explain a little further what it’s about, I get a few laughs and yes, it becomes awkward. I do have to get used to this if I want to make a difference and succeed with the purpose of owning a retail space where women can feel comfortable and confident in expressing their sexuality and sensuality; one which allows them to communicate honestly with themselves and their partners providing a base for the best relationship possible.
I hosted a party for my business, which is similar to that of Tupperware but it’s for the bedroom not the kitchen, which was talked about on radio. This was a big chance for the right image to be conveyed. After a 10-minute chat in which I was not involved, my business sounded like it was a porn store. At times like these achieving my goals seem hard. Then I look at the positives and the greater vision, and take it only as half-a-step back.
I’ve also been at a dinner table with a 76-year-old man, who asked, “What do you do?” I tried to explain that while I sell high-end vibrators the greater goal is to promote confidence in our sexual beings, his response was, “…well, that’s a rather altruistic view on sex”. I vowed to avoid dinners with my great aunt’s friends from then on.
So, although International Women’s Day was last weekend and most of us where unaware of that, take this is a reminder that we should recognise IWD regularly. It is not time to reflect on the negative or invite Debbie Downer to your house for dinner, rather a time to inspire our female ideals to celebrate and collaborate.
So in true adoring fashion, we refer again to Mrs Banks, “our daughter’s daughters will adore us as we sing in grateful chorus” and we certainly will.
This Sunday my friends and I are having a picnic in the park to come together, drink some bubbly, talk ideas and collect some coin for Oxfam’s Close the Gap campaign all while singing tunes to celebrate the ‘sisterhood’. You should too.
P.S If you didn’t catch on, mainly you Mr Pat Robertson (from above quote), feminism is about doing what you can to make sure every woman you know feels equal and empowered and nurtures this in her own space, her relationships and her life’s journey.
Ladies, listen up! If you're looking for man who'll give you the right attention in the bedroom - look no further than you local man o' meat - 'tis right! Refer to the article below taken from news.com.au which suggests that the local butcher is among Australia's happiest workers and also concludes they are having the most sex.
