In reading the article ‘Changemakers, CLIMATE JUSTICE Disruptors, and Protectors of Our Earth: Young Women and Girls of the Global Majority Leading Climate Justice” by Yasmina Benslimane, I found myself keenly aware of the issues of gender inequality in our world. Along with many women in the world and other groups of oppressed people, the inequalities are easily felt and more easily understood and empathized to other women or oppressed groups around the world. I often end up coming to the conclusion that all oppression, there needs to be a responsibility to the oppressors to make space and lift up voices of those oppressed. In this case, I know the world needs more men to step up and take action and advocacy for women and girls around the world to deliver justice and equality. For justice to occur in our world, the heavy lifting of transition to justice has to come from the ones who have an easier time navigating the world. For racial justice here in the United States, that’s white people. For disability justice, that’s able bodied people. For gender equality, that’s men.
In asking for privileged people in the world to advocate for others who don’t have the same privileges that requires a level of empathy and willingness to expand perspectives that many in the world need to expand their abilities in. This practice can bring up fears of losing control, power, or being vulnerable that I believe deters many from engaging. The mental and social exercises in advocating for the groups that don’t have the same privileges take courage, bravery, deep empathy and vulnerability. And this is just what the world needs to lift up oppressed voices, including girls and womens around the world. Challenging gender roles at every angle and encouraging all genders to confront the binary lens in which we live, is a great place for all individuals to start.
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