Fix The System, Not The Women

1. Systemic sexism shapes women's lives from childhood

It starts with the ugly, heavy piece of gold jewellery my mum finds on the passenger seat of the car as she and my dad leave my grandparents' house after visiting to introduce them to my new baby brother.

Early socialization. From birth, children are exposed to gendered expectations and stereotypes that shape their worldview and self-perception. Girls learn to be quiet, accommodating, and focused on appearance, while boys are encouraged to be assertive and dominant. This socialization occurs through:

• Toys and clothing marketed differently to boys and girls
• Media representations of gender roles
• Family and societal expectations
• Educational experiences that reinforce stereotypes

Lifelong impact. These early experiences have far-reaching consequences, influencing:

• Career choices and aspirations
• Relationships and sexual experiences
• Self-esteem and body image
• Tolerance of sexist behavior and harassment

2. Institutions normalize and perpetuate misogyny

We have spent hundreds of years telling individual women to change, to be better, more demure, more careful, more intelligent, more courageous, but none of these individualised solutions have worked. Because women aren't the problem.

Systemic barriers. Key institutions in society, including education, law enforcement, criminal justice, and politics, are structured in ways that disadvantage women and perpetuate inequality. This manifests in:

• Inadequate responses to sexual harassment and assault in schools
• Police forces that fail to take violence against women seriously
• Legal systems that blame victims and excuse perpetrators
• Political structures that exclude women from decision-making roles

Institutional reform needed. Addressing these issues requires fundamental changes to:

• Policies and procedures within institutions
• Training and accountability for those in power
• Representation of women in leadership positions
• Cultural attitudes embedded within organizational structures

3. Media reinforces gender stereotypes and objectification

The media provides the wallpaper to our daily lives. Its portrayal of women is not just significant, but also formative.

Pervasive influence. Media plays a crucial role in shaping societal attitudes towards women through:

• Sexualized and objectifying portrayals in advertising and entertainment
• Underrepresentation of women in positions of authority or expertise
• Reinforcement of harmful stereotypes about women's roles and capabilities
• Dismissive or hostile coverage of feminist issues and women's rights

Media literacy. Combating these effects requires:

• Critical analysis of media messages
• Diversification of media ownership and content creation
• Promotion of positive and empowering representations of women
• Holding media outlets accountable for sexist content

4. Violence against women is not isolated but systemic

When something happens once every three days, it isn't an isolated incident. And that's how often women are murdered by men in the UK.

Pattern of abuse. Violence against women is not a series of isolated incidents, but a widespread pattern rooted in societal structures and attitudes. This includes:

• Domestic violence
• Sexual assault and rape
• Harassment in public spaces
• Femicide (murder of women because they are women)

Systemic response needed. Addressing this violence requires:

• Recognition of the scale and interconnected nature of the problem
• Comprehensive policies addressing prevention, support, and justice
• Challenging cultural attitudes that normalize or excuse violence
• Adequate funding for support services and law enforcement

5. Intersectionality: Multiple forms of oppression overlap

For women who live at the intersection of different forms of prejudice, structural inequalities mesh together in a manner that is cumulative and significantly magnifies impact.

Compounded disadvantage. Women who face multiple forms of discrimination experience unique and often more severe challenges. This includes:

• Women of color
• LGBTQ+ women
• Women with disabilities
• Immigrant and refugee women

Holistic approach. Addressing these intersecting oppressions requires:

• Recognition of diverse experiences within feminism
• Tailored support and policies for different groups
• Representation of marginalized voices in decision-making
• Challenging all forms of systemic oppression simultaneously

6. Blaming women diverts attention from systemic issues

Because, when it comes to our lists, we have been trained, systematically, not to trust ourselves. We have also been trained not to think about these lists at all. Not to make them. Not to count them. Not to connect the dots.

Individual vs. systemic focus. Society often places responsibility on women to prevent or overcome sexism and violence, rather than addressing root causes. This manifests as:

• Victim-blaming in cases of sexual assault
• Advice focused on women's behavior rather than men's
• Emphasis on individual "empowerment" over structural change
• Dismissal of systemic critiques as "oversensitivity" or "man-hating"

Shifting the narrative. To create real change, we must:

• Recognize patterns of oppression rather than isolated incidents
• Hold institutions and perpetrators accountable
• Address cultural attitudes that enable sexism and violence
• Empower women to speak out without fear of blame or dismissal

7. Solutions exist but lack political will for implementation

There are already brilliant, clear solutions on offer for each individual link in the chain. Simply acting on some of those would be a start.

Available strategies. Numerous evidence-based solutions have been proposed by experts and advocates, including:

• Comprehensive sex education focusing on consent and healthy relationships
• Reform of criminal justice procedures in sexual assault cases
• Increased funding for domestic violence shelters and support services
• Workplace policies to address harassment and discrimination
• Media guidelines for respectful representation of women

Political action needed. Implementing these solutions requires:

• Prioritization of women's rights and safety by policymakers
• Allocation of adequate resources to fund initiatives
• Challenging powerful interests that benefit from the status quo
• Sustained pressure from civil society and grassroots movements

8. Men play a crucial role in dismantling patriarchy

This is where men need to step up. With their friends. With their sons. At work. In the locker room. Down the pub. On the pitch. In the streets. When they see it. When someone says it. When they hear about it. When nobody has said anything at all and it's difficult and awkward and uncomfortable.

Male allyship. Men have a unique responsibility and opportunity to challenge sexism and misogyny, particularly in male-dominated spaces. This involves:

• Calling out sexist behavior and language among peers
• Educating other men about consent and respect
• Supporting and amplifying women's voices and experiences
• Examining and challenging their own internalized sexism

Societal shift. Engaging men in gender equality efforts can lead to:

• Reduced tolerance for sexist attitudes and behaviors
• More equitable distribution of domestic and care work
• Increased support for policies promoting gender equality
• Modeling of respectful relationships for future generations

9. Acknowledging experiences is the first step to healing

It can be so powerful to allow ourselves to realise, perhaps for the first time, that these things are real, they are unacceptable and, in many cases, they are illegal – and we don't have to put up and shut up any more.

Breaking the silence. Recognizing and naming experiences of sexism and abuse is crucial for individual and collective healing. This process involves:

• Validating one's own experiences and emotions
• Connecting with others who have similar stories
• Challenging internalized shame and self-blame
• Recognizing the systemic nature of oppression

Empowerment through awareness. Acknowledging these experiences can lead to:

• Increased self-advocacy and boundary-setting
• Participation in collective action and advocacy
• Support-seeking and accessing resources
• Challenging and changing oppressive systems from within

Last updated: November 14, 2024