I would define activism as facing a problem and fighting it with action. There are many forms of activism. It depends on how you want to execute it. The film I watched was Girl Connected, and it was about five separate girls from different parts of the world. Each girl was tackling a problem they felt affected by in their country. One was child marriage, fighting disability/learning self-defense, having a right to an education, being freely creative, lowering teen pregnancy rates. Today, there is a lot of activism, as people are fighting to get themselves and others heard. We stand alongside Ukraine, fighting for the black and lgbtq+ community in America and anywhere else in the world. As women, we are fighting every day for our voices to be heard. The most popular form of Women’s activism is the Women’s Suffrage of the 1920s. This was when women got together and fought against oppression, yet still, others wanted to force the opposite upon them.
The way I’ve engaged in activism was when I went to the march against climate change in 2019. I can’t always fight on the frontlines or be physical about it, but I fight along the sidelines and spread the word about what’s going on and how we can stop it. I found the film very inspiring because it shows how often we are fighting for ourselves and women in general. I am afraid to go outside because of how predators portray me, and I want to hide in a cocoon. One of the girls that stood out to me was Latifa, from Bangladesh. She was fighting hard to stop child marriages. Children should have a right to be children and study, but most of them get married off at the ages of 9-12. A 9-year-old doesn’t have the total capacity to make decisions the way an adult can, especially when bearing children and stabilizing the house, as they are expected to do while the husband is working. Latifa herself was saved from a child marriage. Since her mother was forced into marriage when she was a child, she didn’t want her daughter going through the same. To back away from it, they had to have a small court case to deem it fit and prove she would continue her studies. Her goal was to help save all those young girls forced against their will. I think these young girls are a great inspiration in gender justice.
Hi Jade!
I think one huge step towards “active activism” is just by showing up. Regardless of if you are on the sidelines or the leader of the march, your presence is important and sorely needed. Also, I agree with your statement of fear when going outside, with all the violence happening in the subway systems of NYC, it can be extremely scary for a woman to travel alone. I think that is also something I would fight for, to protect women and their safety.
Hi Jade,
Your fears of going outside are completely understandable. As you said, being a women involves constantly having to fight for yourself and other women. It’s amazing that you were able to join a march against climate change despite your fears. You wanting to take part in activism really shows your courage and passion for change. Like Olivia said in her comment^ just showing up has a huge impact, even you spreading the word about the issue makes a positive difference.
Hi Jade!
We watched the same film! I was very inspired by Girl Connected, and the girls’ stories.
I think it’s totally understandable to feel the way you do. At the end of the day, this isn’t a safe world for women. I think the fact that you still show your support and manage to spread the word is still very admirable of you, and I think that keeping yourself safe is also very important!
Hi Jade, I really admire you for still showing respect and support and I think that keeping yourself safe should always be your main priority, I agree!
Hi Jade,
I’d absolutely agree on a daily basis, we may fight for what is right. It does not begin at the top, but rather with you. It all starts right now. It begins with how you treat people, and it continues with how you deal with those who treat you and others poorly. It begins when you begin, and the battle has only just begun, yet there is still hope.