....Fighting against tactics to silence us. That is where we are. Women own very few of these retail and social media platforms. As much as...
....Fighting against tactics to silence us. That is where we are.
Women own very few of these retail and social media platforms.
As much as the male CEO's declare that their space is "the" space for "free speech" women continue to be silenced, harassed, and threatened as we have since the beginning days of social media.
Online platforms of all sorts have caught on to the fact that women who have the privilege to be online in the first place, often will not hesitate to spread the word about more obvious and blatant attempts to shut down our voices about misogyny.
So, tactics have changed. There are still firings, being uninvited to speaking engagements, dropped from leadership positions and roles, projects that were full speed ahead suddenly falling through etc....
Nowadays thought, we are hearing and sharing about tactics that are less obvious in nature:
- Passwords that no longer work suddenly and attempts to recover them from the platform go nowhere.
- Muting the reach of your account so that fewer people ever see your posts or products.
- "Teach you a lesson suspension". You did nothing wrong; the account will be restored in a few days to a week and a reminder to "be nice" or "be kind" accompanies your return note.
If we all want to see misogyny end, then we ALL have to fight it together.
There are several ways that everyday citizens can challenge propaganda:
Familiarize yourself with different types of misogyny and how propaganda techniques have been used to advance misogyny. This will help you identify it and critically analyze it for yourself.
Call out misogyny when you see it: Speak up against sexist jokes, comments, or behaviors in your daily life.
Challenge stereotypes and highlight the importance of respecting women as equals.
Be mindful of language and media consumption: Pay attention to the language you use, ensuring it is respectful and inclusive of female human beings.
When women take issue with how they are being addressed or spoken about, do you listen?
Do you ignore them?
Or do you consider them to be hateful?
Be critical of media that perpetuates misogynistic narratives or objectifies women, and support media that portrays women in diverse and empowering roles.
Challenge gender norms and stereotypes: Question societal expectations that hold women to different standards than men. Promote non-traditional gender roles and challenge stereotypes that limit women's potential in any field.
Support organizations that GENUINELY fight against misogyny:
NOT just the organizations that hang out a shingle saying that they are a "woman's organization."
Support those who have women in leadership, pay women equally with males, and are racially, ethnically, religiously, & geographically diverse in their support of women and girls.
Financially contribute or volunteer your time to organizations working towards gender equality and combating misogyny. By supporting these organizations, you can help amplify their voices and efforts.
Vote for equality for women: Use your voting power to support political candidates who advocate for equality for women. Research their stances on women's issues and choose representatives who actively work towards ending misogyny.
IF a candidate cannot define a woman as an adult human female how will they ever address the multitude of dire needs that their female constituents have?
- safe & affordable housing,
- equal pay, job development with women in mind too
- life-saving medical care that meets listens to them
- funding for scholarships and business loans
- safe transportation provisions
- properly funded childcare
- a voice in our own reproductive healthcare
- improvements in police response to women
- domestic violence shelters for women,
- rape crisis shelters for women,
- testing of backlogged rape kits & end charging victims for treatment & testing.
Engage in conversations and raise awareness: Start conversations about gender equality with friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors. Share stories, experiences, and facts that challenge sexist narratives. Use your voice and platform to spread awareness and promote change.
Advocate for policies and laws that address misogyny:
Write to your local politicians and lawmakers,
asking them to support legislation that addresses gender-based violence, workplace discrimination, and gender inequality.
Be an active participant in shaping a more equitable society through advocacy.
Be an ally: Men in particular, can play an essential role in challenging misogyny by recognizing their privileges and actively supporting and amplifying women's voices.
Advocate for equal opportunities, challenge sexist behavior, and promote gender equality as an ally.
Remember, challenging misogyny is an ongoing process that requires continuous effort, education, and self-reflection.
By taking individual actions and collectively pushing for change, everyday citizens can contribute to creating a more equal and inclusive society.
Example:
This organization is not comprised of feminists, but they do seek to keep children safe.....
Just a reminder that our Wikipedia page was literally written by someone named The Tranarchist and we’re unable to change it.
— Gays Against Groomers (@againstgrmrs) July 17, 2023
It shouldn’t have to be said that Wikipedia is the most ridiculous source of info, but we’ll say it anyways because we always have people in our replies… pic.twitter.com/b8A8LBB0Pu
Looking at Misogyny in Social Justice Movements (ebook) | WE Survive Abuse