International Women’s Day 2020

The mistreatment of women starts small. It’s a talk with the boys about an “overly emotional” girlfriend, a joke amongst co-workers on how it’s the time of the month for a female boss, or a meme of a woman fetching a sandwich.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Jokes meant to make people feel small are like weeds. They start little, take up the nutrients from good soil, and eventually overtake good crops. Perpetuating insensitive comments encourages the growth of unhealthy mindsets towards women.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Instead, plant good seeds. Tell a woman that she can express sadness, frustration, and the full spectrum of emotions. Humans have emotions, and these emotions require expressions. Respect a woman’s opinion at work. She has a point, not her period. Encourage a woman’s ambitions, she can be who she wants to be, and it may not be the world’s idea of a woman.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Let today be a reminder to celebrate and honour women who are, like all of us, human.