According to a 2020 survey from the Pew Research Center, only 61% of women in the United States consider themselves to be feminists. And unsurprisingly, women are more likely than men to assign positive characteristics to feminism, meanwhile men are more likely to consider it polarizing and outdated. But the reality is that there’s still a need for feminism today, even if you assume that it accomplished its goals because women have the right to vote, open a credit card and purchase birth control.
Let’s start with the gender pay gap. Currently, in the United States, women earn on average 85% of what men earn. And half of American workers believe that a major reason for this pay disparity is because women are treated differently by their employers. At the same time, women are less likely than men to be “the boss” at their job, despite the fact that nearly a third of women would like to be.
One of the reasons for the wage gap is sexism in the workplace. The European Institute for Gender Equality reports that “less than half of EU citizens believe that gender equality has been achieved at work.” Meanwhile, 94% of EU citizens consider gender equality to be a fundamental right.
Yet for some reason, women still report receiving less feedback than men in the workplace and being interrupted more frequently during meetings than men. Moms are also expected to take time off work to care for their children more than their husbands, which can then be used against them when they’re up for a potential promotion. Women are even seen as less competent once they become mothers, despite the fact that most are juggling a career and the majority of the domestic labor in their household.
While anyone can become a victim of domestic violence, women are disproportionately targeted. The United Nations reports that nearly one in three women around the globe have been subjected to physical or intimate partner violence. And in 2023, over 51,000 women around the globe tragically lost their lives due to violence from their partner or a family member, accounting for 60% of all female homicides. Meanwhile, only 12% of male homicides are caused by a partner or family member.
In the United States, 81% of women report being the victims of gender-based harassment, while only 43% of men say they’ve experienced the same. There’s no question that this kind of harassment, which often leads to violence, is a problem across the board. But it’s naive to assume that feminism has completed its mission when women are still being targeted far more often than men.
Now, if you’re wondering what you or the men in your life can do to help fight the patriarchy, HeForShe has some great suggestions. First, they note that men should start with questioning their own behavior and beliefs when joining the women’s rights movement. Many of us have been conditioned to believe certain stereotypes or have practiced harmful behavior without even realizing it. The sooner we unlearn those habits, the sooner we can help others eliminate them too.
Another step men can take is educating themselves about the women’s rights movement. This fight goes back hundreds of years, and learning about it can help men understand why women are so passionate about fighting for equality. At the same time, volunteering and supporting women’s organizations can go a long way. As long as you’re using your voice for good, you shouldn’t be afraid to speak up.
