5 Key Roles of Men in Women Empowerment
With the evolution of feminism and the unfortunate turn of today’s cancel culture, women and men are often pitted against each other. Women empowerment and gender equality is not a fight against men, but a fight against the constitution of patriarchy and the biased norms that surrounds it. It’s not women empowerment words against their words. It’s not about empowered women against men in power, but what it should be is a collective fight against patriarchy to develop an unbiased society of equality. Activism shouldn’t be rooted in hate but should be fostered from a place of deserved kindness and compassion.
What we don’t often think about is men play a large role to attain women’s empowerment and gender equality. The question—why women empowerment is important—shouldn’t be only answered by empowered women, but also by men. It should be a concern of anyone who is concerned about the collective well-being of society. And the more men take part in it, the easier we can break biases and inequality. Then one day, we will strengthen women empowerment even more.
So to take part in women empowerment, we must realize the power of solidarity and how important intersectionality is to achieve the very importance of women empowerment—how it can help minorities to be empowered women. So, here are some thoughts to ponder how men can take part in the change and how empowered women can understand the essence of non-binary thinking.
- Men should acknowledge their privilege.
The first step is to acknowledge your privilege as a man. Sad as it is, the patriarchy imposes this that causes the skewed struggles and obstacles of many women. Awareness is a key to dissolving it. From there, one would realize how their privilege can be a tool to foster women empowerment.
- Men should change gender power dynamics.
If there is any chance, men should challenge how power dynamics can deprive women. That bestowed power by the patriarchy should be seen as a responsibility to create change, advocate kindness, and perpetuate empathy. If this can be challenged, we will attain harmony, redistributing the unbalanced power.
- Men should challenge toxic masculinity.
Toxic masculinity is a by-product of patriarchy. It’s the culture that imposes men to be “macho” and cultivates the idea that “boys will always be boys.” Because of this mentality, men are expected to show toughness in every situation they will encounter that somehow affects the flow of gender dynamics because it can trigger unnecessary aggression and violence. Men should be given the chance to be vulnerable, to feel, and to express.
- Men should advocate for women’s access to better opportunities.
Unfortunately, men still have better opportunities compared to women. Studies say women are least likely to be given opportunities in workplaces. With this privilege given to men, it can be used to achieve women empowerment and help deprived women to be empowered in their fields. Mentorship and other opportunities to learn should be given and shared.
- Men should strive to be an ally.
In your own little ways, men should strive to be an ally, even if that only means learning about feminism, having an open mind, and acknowledging their privilege as a man. Through this, we’re raising awareness of male privilege how it can promote discrimination. Being an ally means seeing empowered women not as an enemy, but a partner to a better fruitful society.