Introduction:
All people should be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, or other characteristics with zero discrimination..
On Zero Discrimination Day, we celebrate the progress we’ve made toward equality and recommit ourselves to making equality a reality for all. It’s been more than 50 years since the passage of the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act, and we cannot allow those historic victories to be eroded by continued discrimination. We also must not allow discrimination to become a normal part of our society.
For centuries, discrimination has been used as a tool to hurt and exclude people because of who they are. It has been used to justify inequities in education, employment, and housing that have perpetuated poverty, weakened our communities, and limited people’s access to equal opportunities. It has been used to justify violence against people of color, which has led to mass incarceration and the destruction of families. And it has been used to perpetuate stereotypes about women and girls, which have held them back in their careers, their ability to contribute as leaders, and their ability to achieve their full potential. In the face of these injustices, we have worked to root out discrimination and to provide opportunities for all. We have achieved much, but there is much more to be done.
The theme for Zero Discrimination Day this year is- "Zero Discrimination against Women and Girls".
It is unacceptable that women and girls continue to face discrimination in our society. It is time to end all forms of discrimination against them. We must ensure that all the women and girls receive equitable treatment under the law and that their needs, including their health, are met. We must promote policies that eliminate gender based violence and that all women and girls have the same opportunities to succeed in education, employment, and entrepreneurship. We must continue to raise awareness about the harmful effects of discrimination and put an end to it for once and for all.
Body:
Oppression of Women:
Women have been important to the world and civilization for as long as history has been recorded. They have helped build empires and civilizations, they have fought in wars, they have done everything men have done, they just haven’t been given the credit they deserve. But, throughout history, women have been subject to discrimination, oppression, and violence on a scale never before seen. Some of the most well-known and horrific forms of oppression and discrimination that women have faced throughout history include, but are certainly not limited to, the following: slavery, sexism, racism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, fatphobia, and classism.
Over the course of human history, women have been thought of, spoken of, and treated as second-class citizens. They have been enslaved, they have been denied the right to vote and have been subject to sexism and misogyny on a scale that reaches far beyond anything that can be described as “normal” today. The humanity of women has been questioned, they have been dehumanized, and they have been treated as property to be used, abused, and disposed of as men have seen fit. The oppression of women has been perpetuated and enforced by men throughout history, but over the past several decades, a new form of oppression has emerged. The oppression of women has been redefined and relabeled. Today, women are faced with a form of oppression called “sexism" that is defined largely by the gender of the speaker and not by the gender of the targeted individual. Today, women are told that their thoughts, their opinions, and their rights are of little consequence and that they should “shut up and support your men" instead. Today, women are told that they are to blame for the violence, abuse, and discrimination that they face.
Let’s now see what is common or different between the women of this age and the women of the year early 90’s or before.
|
Women now |
Women before |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Women and the discrimination they face because of menstruation:
Every month, women all over the world deal with the inconvenience of their menstrual cycles. But for some women, this monthly inconvenience is a source of constant, unnecessary embarrassment. Even worse, for these women, their periods can sometimes be a source of discrimination. In the workplace, women who are menstruating are often forced to take leave or avoid certain tasks entirely.
For others, their menstrual cycles can be a source of social and financial hardship. In their quest to hide or limit their periods, some women are forced to resort to costly treatments that can be harmful to their health. In many parts of the world, women are not allowed to enter temples or even their own home's kitchens while they are menstruating and this needs to stop! Isn't the god in the temple a woman? Why are women being discriminated against so much for a natural process that they have no control over? We believe that every woman should be able to worship her god how she wants to and shouldn't be held back because of her biological cycle. Ladies, let's be aware of our own rights and try to enlighten others with the correct information.
Role of Feminism:
Feminism, the ideology advocating for women’s rights and equality, has been a major force in the evolution of society. Throughout history, feminists have played a key role in ensuring that women and men are treated equally. Feminists have fought for women’s rights, such as the right to vote, the right to an education, and the right to earn a fair wage. They have also fought for women’s equality, such as the right to be considered for the same jobs as men, the right to be considered for positions of leadership, and the right to fair treatment in the courts.
A feminist’s role in society has changed over time, and what a feminist says today will be a different thing than what a feminist said 100 years ago. Feminism has evolved not only culturally but also conceptually. Today, feminism is not just about women’s rights; it is also about gender equality, respect for diversity, and respect for all of humanity. Although the meaning of the word feminism has changed, the role of a feminist has never been more important than it is today. No matter what your gender is, always there is a place for you in the movement for feminism. When you understand your role, you can make an impact. This role can be a lot of things: you can be an advocate, an educator, a public speaker, a writer, or a leader. The most important thing is to get involved. When you do, you will be surprised at the impact you can have.
Here is the list of some feminists that really made an impact and the work they did towards feminism:
-
Rukmini Rao
Rukmini Rao innovated the Gramya Resource Centre for Women, to attack colorful issues of land rights for women, their right to education, forestallment of violence against women and girls,etc.
-
Chetna Sinha
The Mann Deshi Bank, established by Mumbai- grounded Chetna Sinha in 1997, provides fiscal aid to pastoral women, making them truly empowered. So far, the bank has eight branches which reach out to over 300,000 women through 140 field facilitators.
-
Sandhya Menon
Only Lately, the country was resonating with the#Metoo movement. One of its prominent voices is Sandhya Menon, an activist and freelance intelligencer who opened up about elderly intelligencers who she indicted of physically and verbally abusing her. This encouraged a ocean of analogous responses for women across the country who participated their harrowing stories of sexual assault, therefore breaking the levee of silence.
-
Deane De Menezes
At the age of 24, Deane De Menezes has been awarded the prestigious Queen’s Young Leaders Award, for her impressive initiative, ‘Red is the New Green’.The project aims to break the social stigma associated with menstruation and the economic and gender inequality driving it.
-
Viji Penkoottu
The women working in the shops and promenades of Midday Itheru, SM Street, a shopping area in Kozhikode, Kerala, were denied introductory mortal rights-the right to sit or visit the restroom. This wasn't an insulated case. But it has been passing around the whole state. Perturbed by the situation, 50- time-old activist Viji Penkoottu decided that it was high time someone raised their voice.
-
Emma Watson
One of the generation's newest voices of feminism, the actress captured everyone's attention with her moving speech in front of the United Nations that launched a new action for gender equivalency. Watson's work for the UN reminded us all that feminism is not just a fight for women — it's for men to join in as well. Since, she has launched the#HeForShe movement.
-
Eleanor Roosevelt
Roosevelt became the first First Lady to take on liabilities beyond simply hosting and entertaining in the White House. Before her term as First Lady, she was formerly open and involved with women's issues, working with the Women's Trade Union League and the International Congress of Working Women. From 1935 to 1962, Roosevelt wrote"My Day,"a review column that addressed women's work, equivalency and rights before there was indeed a word for"feminism"— the social issues at the time were considered" controversial," especially for that of a First Lady to speak about.
-
Angela Davis
A trailblazing voice for black women, Davis played a pivotal part in the Civil Rights movement. The political activist was a crucial leader in the Black Power movement, and though some of her further radical positions and part in political demurrers have been supposedly controversial, she has relentlessly fought to champion the progress of women's rights for over six decades.
-
Malala Yousafzai
Malala Yousafzai Malik is a Pakistani activist for female education and a Nobel Peace Prize laureate. She is also the world's youngest Nobel Prize laureate, and second Pakistani to ever receive a Nobel Prize. She is known for human rights advocacy, especially the education of women and children in her native Swat Valley in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, northwest Pakistan, where the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan had at times banned girls from attending school. Her advocacy has grown into an international movement, and according to former Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, she has become the country's "most prominent citizen".
Saathi’s Role:
Since its establishment in 2015, Saathi has been constantly working towards making menstruation a comfortable experience for women, keeping in mind that the environment should not be affected negatively by it.
And hence came Saathi’s biodegradable & eco-friendly bamboo and banana fiber pads.
Saathi Pads are better for women and the environment as they do not contain any harmful materials like plastics or chemicals. With them, you can experience a comfortable, rash-free, and hassle-free period.
And the cherry on top? Through its NGO partners, Saathi provides sustainable menstrual products like pads to rural and underprivileged women, free-of-cost. Other than that, an initiative taken by Saathi- known as ‘Female Fridays’- honors all the hardworking and dedicated female environmentalists.
Refer to our impact page to read more about our work.
Shop Saathi products on our website- saathipads.com
Conclusion:
In today’s society, women and girls are still discriminated in many facets of life. They are discriminated against in the workplace, in the home, in the school system, and in the government. This discrimination has been going on for hundreds of years, but has been getting worse in the past few decades. It is imperative that we do something about this discrimination, to ensure that women and girls can live their lives without being held back by their sex.
The fight should not only be observed on the zero discrimination day, but everyday. because the truth is- zero discrimination day is everyday. If we stop, we are only going to go backwards and not forward. This is the time to take one step forward and not two steps back. Women and girls should not have to live in a society that is unjust and discriminatory to them. They should not have to live in a society that says that their worth is any less.
Continue Reading…
About Saathi:
Saathi, an award-winning social venture has patented technology to convert agri-waste into absorbent materials. It is known for its 100% biodegradable and compostable sanitary pads made from banana and bamboo fibers. Saathi pads are better for the body🩸, community 🌎 and environment 🌱. We are on a mission to make products sustainably and responsibly.
We are recognized by the New York Times Climate Hub, UNESCO Green Citizens project, University of St. Andrews, Solar Impulse Foundation, and Global Cleantech Innovation Program among others for our innovative, social impact, and sustainable work. We are working towards 8 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Check out a short video of our story here and follow us at @saathipads on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Linkedin, and Youtube to know how menstruation can be sustainable and stigma-free.