As Women’s history month comes to a close, many end up reflecting on the position women find themselves in at this current time, as well as the ever burning question: where do we go from here?
Growing from a local Women’s History Week in California, it became widely recognised in the United States during the 1980s, before becoming an official month-long recognition of women and their achievements, coinciding with International Women’s Day. From there, Women’s History Month became an internationally recognised celebration. It arose from the frustration at the lack of recognition of women throughout history, and a desire to give a voice back to those who had been silenced or who had their achievements diminished because of their gender.
Each year, a theme is chosen by the National Women’s History Alliance in the United States. This year it was “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future.” Given the issues the planet faces, including climate changes, political instability and economic disparity, it is not surprising that this has been the focus for this year.
On a local level, the University of Edinburgh hosted a variety of events for women’s history month. Through the Women’s Campaign, led by EUSA’s Liberation Officer Jana Al Ramahi, various talks have taken place to recognise the achievements of women and their position in society. Other societies, including the Feminist Society, hosted socials to bring the community together, including a swim and bonfire at Portobello beach on International Women’s Day. However, despite these efforts from the University, has enough been done to recognise Women’s History Month?
Not all students seem to think so. One student told me he wasn’t even aware of any events that the University had put on to recognise the month.
“Nothing was obviously advertised as an event for recognising women’s month to me,” he said. “I am not aware of anyone going to any events specifically hosted by the University.”
He was not alone — other students I spoke to also felt that there had been very little effort to celebrate March. However, as one student pointed out to me, was there really much to celebrate this year, given everything going on in the world?
Women’s History Month continues to serve as a celebration of women’s achievement, but also pairs as a sombre reminder of how far there is to go. This becomes even more concerning when it seems that progress is going backwards in many countries across the world. Girls in Afghanistan are unable to go out in public, let alone receive any sort of education, and rapidly shrinking access to abortion in the United States highlights a growing return to traditionalism, and a desire by some to reinforce the inequality between men and women. In the context of Louis Theroux’s new documentary Inside the Manosphere, which has taken the internet by storm, the pipeline to alt-right views and attitudes towards women are becoming more and more mainstream, leaving many women feeling trapped and increasingly anxious about the future. In this light, this Women’s History Month there has been a growing feeling that celebrating is somewhat performative, and almost inappropriate.
It is clear that Women’s History Month is still very much needed. Not only is it essential for recognising women’s fundamental contributions to science, the arts, and everything in between, but also for giving an opportunity to unlearn casual sexism and misogyny that might seem harmless at first, but ultimately begins a slippery slope down to a much more dangerous way of thinking. In a world of Andrew Tates and an increasing narrative of “soft femininity” and a return to traditionalism, it is important to recognise these things for what they are: misogyny repackaged.
Although the situation we find ourselves in might seem dire, and celebrating Women’s History Month might seem futile, it is imperative that we continue to uplift women and their achievements, and keep fighting for a fairer world.
Photo by Giacomo Ferroni on Unsplash