Misogyny is born out of privilege. Male privilege. It is not something that us women can simply avoid or ignore because it affects every aspect of our lives. It restricts our freedoms when it comes to sex, sports, jobs, and even the way we dress.
But we have been fighting for voices to be heard right? We have made significant changes since the 70s, haven’t we? You would think so. It seems that all our hard work to fight for equal rights and make our decisions over our bodies would move forward, when it is actually stuck in reverse.
The recent controversial abortion law saw men in suits exert their power over every single woman in Texas; controlling their choices and affecting their lives. The state has made it so women can get an abortion up until 6 weeks of the pregnancy. The Republican Texas Governor, Greg Abbott has cunningly made it look as though women still have a free choice on whether to abort an embryo with a heartbeat. But Texan women do not have a choice. Many women do not even realise that they are pregnant at six weeks, let alone ready to make a decision on whether to terminate a pregnancy.
Greg Abbott also believes that he is not forcing a victim of rape or incest to carry out the pregnancy until birth. He says:
[The bill] “doesn’t require that at all because, obviously, it provides at least 6 weeks for a person to be able to get an abortion.”
How ignorant can one be? It is clear that violence against women is an afterthought in the eyes of the Texan Republicans, as they will award $10,000 to anyone who sues someone who assists in an abortion after 6 weeks, or a woman seeking an abortion after 6 weeks. Not only are they punishing desperate women and the people who can help, but they are creating a frightening surveillance state where any member of the public is allowed to get involved in your personal business. I suppose everyone owns pregnant bodies now?
This recent shift in attitudes in both the west and the east makes me feel very worried for the safety of women everywhere. With abortion being completely illegal in parts of North America (El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and Honduras), I worry about dangerous backstreet abortions taking place and killing women who are trying to gain their freedom back without breaking the law. In Honduras, women are not even allowed emergency contraception because the government (who is obviously a male majority) have labelled it an ‘abortion pill.’ So, Honduran women cannot have spontaneous sex now? When does this stop?
I am also scared about how fast relatively forward-thinking countries like America can change their mind on such a difficult topic. How can men make decisions on something that does not involve them at all? Whilst they can literally walk away from the birth of a child, women have to endure the physical and mental pain of childbirth whilst bringing up a child all by themselves. Some are given no choice but to give their blood, sweat and tears to bring up a child that was not made out of love; but rape or incest. And the attitude in Texas is ‘oh well you could have had the abortion in the first six weeks. You had a choice.’
This victim blaming is sickening and it is endorsed by the government. They are meant to build laws and policies to protect their people. My mistake; I guess this does not extend to female citizens.
Even without incest or rape, women should have a right to decide what they do with their own bodies. They may not be in a position to bring a person into their unstable world. Some women do not have the financial means to afford to bring up a child, some may not be in the right headspace, and others may simply not want to have children. Women should be ALLOWED a choice. Sadly, Polish women are not. Abortion is only allowed in cases of rape, incest, or if the mother’s life is at risk.
Let’s move away from abortion. What about the Taliban? Since they took over Afghanistan, Afghan women have had their rights taken away. A spokesperson for the Taliban recently said to SBS that women are no longer allowed to play sports where parts of their body may be exposed. He also said:
“I don’t think women will be allowed to play cricket because it is not necessary that women should play cricket”
Not only are women not allowed to keep active and do the things they enjoy, but they will be required to wear hijabs when they attend university, and be separated from their male peers and teachers.
Men in politics want to silence women and treat us like we are second to them. They love control. This disturbing behaviour needs to stop immediately.
