In the 21st century, the connection of girlhood, social movements, and social media has ignited a powerful force for change. As digital platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter seamlessly integrate into our daily lives, they have not only given rise to what scholars term the “girlhood revolution” but have also given girls and young people an unparalleled influence and responsibility in shaping social movements.
In a world where connectivity knows no bounds, young girls are leveraging social media to redefine their identities, challenge societal norms, and actively participate in the reshaping of cultural narratives. In addition to being consumers of information, they are creators and curators of narratives that challenge the status quo. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok have become the canvases where girlhood is painted with strokes of cyberbullying and insecurity, but also individuality and empowerment.
Social media has become the rallying ground for a new era of social activism, with girls at the forefront. Movements like #MeToo, #GirlsWhoCode, and #MarchForOurLives have harnessed the power of online spaces to amplify their messages, connect with like-minded individuals globally, and mobilize support. This marks a shift where young individuals are not only witnesses to change but active architects of it. Their voices, once confined to the sidelines, are now resonating across digital landscapes, effecting tangible change in the real world.
While social media opens doors to unprecedented opportunities, it also presents challenges. The curated representations of femininity, cyberbullying, and body image pressures are stark realities that young girls confront online. However, these challenges have become catalysts for resilience and digital literacy. Girls are not just consumers of digital content; they are critical thinkers navigating the complexities of the online world, learning to discern between empowerment and exploitation.
The influence of social media extends beyond national boundaries, providing a platform for global conversations. As girls engage with issues that transcend geographical constraints, they contribute to a broader understanding of cultural relativism. The unique struggles and triumphs of girls with different backgrounds and identities are not isolated; they are interconnected threads in the rich tapestry of global girlhood.
In the digital age, girls and young people find themselves at the intersection of influence and responsibility. They are active participants wielding the power to shape perceptions, challenge norms, and drive movements. As we witness this metamorphosis, it becomes crucial to nurture an environment that fosters digital literacy, resilience, and critical thinking among our youth.
The coalescence of girlhood, social movements, and social media has not only redefined how we perceive these concepts but has also placed an unprecedented influence and responsibility in the hands of girls. As we look toward the future, let us celebrate and support the digital pioneers who are shaping the narratives of today and sowing the seeds for a more empowered, connected, and socially conscious tomorrow.
Weekly Post #7: “States Banning Gender-Affirming Care May Continue to Allow Intersex Surgeries”
Intersex and Transgender people are often pitted against one another. The arguments used by the intersex community are twisted to condemn the trans community, arguments in the trans community are twisted to condemn the intersex community. Despite both movements often working together to fight against medicalization and fight for civil rights, the two are seen by outsiders as opposed. This view is changing in an era dominated by legislation against transgender people, specifically involving gender-affirming care.
Gender-affirming care includes any medical practices meant to help a person feel more like theirself in their body in terms of gender expression. This can include hormone replacement, genital surgery, and plastic surgery among other things in the case of trans people, but many of these same techniques are applied to cisgender people to affirm their gender, though they may not recognize it.
Many of the practices known as gender-affirming care in the trans community and that are so demonized by the legislature at the moment are, in the context of the intersex community and medical community, called “gender-normalizing care.” This refers to any medical practices used to make an intersex person more definitely fit the socially constructed binary of sex. These can include hormone replacement, genital surgery, and vaginal dilation among others. See any similarities?
Consenting trans people are denied these treatments and yet on unconsenting intersex babies these treatments are not far off from mandatory. This is at the heart of the confusion in the intersex community regarding anti-trans legislation.
Until recently, an unintentional byproduct of anti-transgender legislation has been bans on medically unnecessary surgeries and treatments for intersex children as many of the laws simply refer to “children under 18.” This side-effect is now being noticed by legislatures around the country and amendements to these bills are being rolled out just as fast as the anti-trans bills did in the first place.
The amendments being proposed would make intersex babies an exception to these bans, reinstating the ability of doctors to prescribe these medically unnecessary treatments. The intersex and trans communities have been fighting against these developments, but the is still much to do.
I myself had a vaginoplasty and clitorectomy within a few months of my life to make me look more like a “typical female.” On the other hand, I have trans friends in Texas who have sought these surgeries I underwent without my consent but these trans people are being told that they can’t possibly know what their bodies are supposed to look like. How was I, a 3 month old baby, more deserving of those surgeries than people who have lived their lives in a body that is not their own?
Article:
https://www.npr.org/2023/04/11/1169194792/some-states-that-ban-gender-affirming-care-for-trans-youth-allow-intersex-surger
Weekly Post #6: “A Defined Binary and the People it Legally Erased: Intersex and Trans Activists Fight Montana Law Defining Sex as Binary”
Montana’s Senate Bill 458 is an unassuming enough name. The contents, however, are somewhat problematic. The bill draws the binary of female and male based on the presence of XX or XY chromosomes. A spokesperson for lawmakers behind the bill have argued that the bill simply follows commonsense and biological logic for this binary and that the bill does not infringe on the rights of Montanans to identify as whatever gender they so choose, but not sex.
The commonsense argument on the surface makes sense. In biology many of us are taught that there is a clear binary between male and female, but people who have grown up between that binary, like myself, will tell you that sex is nowhere near that cut and dry. Intersex people are people who were born with a mix of primary and secondary sex characteristics, placing these people neither definitely male nor definitely female.
The Montanan intersex community has, from the first proposal of this bill, expressed extreme opposition to the binary it defines and how it affects their rights. By defining sex in this way, any protections for intersex people are by default rendered non-existent as, according to the bill, no one falls between the two. As the bill became a law, the intersex community, along with the transgender and two-spirit communities, geared up for a legal battle.
The lawsuit identifies Monatana’s governor and attorney general as defendants and seeks to have a judge rule the law unconstitutional in the eyes of the court.
As an intersex person myself who lived through North Carolina’s HB2, I feel for the intersex community of Montana. I remember being a 14 year old, always prepared to justify myself through biology, joking about how I would do it if I was confronted. I cannot imagine that stress being applied to every single aspect of my life. Current medical science is increasingly defining sex as a spectrum rather than a binary while legislation moves in the opposite direction. Education is necessary and destruction of the binary is necessary.
Article:
https://montanafreepress.org/2023/10/12/transgender-intersex-montanans-challenge-law-defining-sex-as-binary/
Weekly Post #4: Caster Semenya Still Barred from Competing in Paris
The topic of testosterone in women’s sports has been dominating conversations on women’s athletics from childhood to professional sports. One group often overlooked but deeply affected by this topic is cis-identifying female intersex athletes.
In 2019, the Olympics did away the the archaic and humiliating system that was sex-testing for all female athletes and brought in testosterone testing instead. The idea was that this would be a less humiliating and invasive alternative for athletes and would even the playing field to a greater extent. This came with the side effect of excluding intersex athletes with heightened testosterone such as Caster Semenya of South Africa.
Semenya filed a suit challenging this new regulation as violating her human rights. It barred her from the Olympics, a stage on which she had shined again and again and a sport that has been a major part of her life. She filed her lawsuit in a Swiss court and was struck down as the court cited her argument as violating women’s rights and maintaining an unfair advantage. The court agreed that the regulation violated Semenya’s rights but upheld that the argument still violated the rights of women.
This shows me, as an intersex person, that at least in legal and legislative settings that I cannot be valid unless I undergo unnecessary medical procedures to reduce testosterone levels. People like my little sister, an extremely talented rifle athlete, should not be considered “true women” unless they conform to medical standards of the binary. I am far from athletic, but according to these governing bodies, I am a superhuman and a threat.
Article:
https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/07/18/caster-semenya-won-her-case-not-right-compete
Weekly Post #3: “Heartbreak and Rockets: Gaza and Queering the Map”
Queering the Map is a moderated online social platform for queer people to anonymously share their stories. The website shows a simple map with location pins representing every queer message posted. When it was created in 2017, the founders could never have imagined the messages that would appear.
In 2023, conflict began between Israel and Gaza’s ruling party, Hamas, after Hamas launched an attack on Israel. Israel quickly began a retaliation campaign with a death toll that rises higher every day. Supplies have been cut off and civilian casualties skyrocket. Among the people here are queer Gazans, people who have already lived under legal discrimination, who are desperately seeking to have their voices heard as loss of electricity and internet are slowly silencing them.
“I’ve always imagine you and me sitting out in the sun, hand-in-hand, free at last…” “The only thing that keeps me patient in Gaza is the sea and you.” “My biggest regret is not kissing this one guy… He died in the bombing. I think a big part of me died too. And soon I will be dead. To younus, I will kiss you in heaven.”
There are messages of people caught in this conflict, expressing their final regrets. The regrets, hopes, and dreams of these people are on full display for the world to see. Many describe homophobia they faces, many describe the loves they lost, that they never had, and that could have been.
Many sources have denied the existence of queer Gazans and queer Palestinians, but they are here, they are queer, and they want their voices to be heard.
Article Link: https://time.com/6326254/queering-the-map-gaza-lgbt-palestinians/
Weekly Post #8: “The queer artist whose controversial street performances are taking on the Russian government”
Russian performance artist Gena Marvin challenges political and social expectations through her work. She performs in public on the streets of Moscow, often wearing ethereal costumes made of found materials, and wearing striking, alien-like make-up. She defies the Russian authorities by performing in public places. One of Marvin’s performances involves taping the Russian flag colors to her body and walking as part of an anti-police protest demanding the release of Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny. Gena’s actions ultimately led to her expulsion from Moscow College for expressing a negative view of the government. Marvin’s performances, and her very existence as a queer person, are not without risk, including physical violence, threats, and homophobic abuse. But Marvin, who is non-binary, remains defiant and remains committed to her art regardless of the risks she faces. “Whenever I go out in character, I’m on top of the world. No one, even here in Russia, can scare me. I’m like a knight in armor,” she states in her new documentary “Queendom.”
https://www.cnn.com/style/gena-marvin-queendom-russia-activist/index.html
Weekly Post #7: “‘It was a wake-up call’: After Roe v. Wade, French lawmakers seek to enshrine abortion rights”
The overturn of Roe v. Wade had a huge impact on public opinion in France, inspiring fear that abortion rights could be withdrawn at any time. The United States is perceived as a liberal country, similar to France. People were concerned when this occurred in a country like the US, since if it happened there, they feared it could happen in France too. As a result, this awareness prompted people to take action, and nearly one year and a half later, France is on track to enshrine abortion into its constitution. The purpose of these actions is to protect these rights so that if future parliaments were to try and take those rights away it would be extremely difficult to accomplish. While left-wing lawmakers are leading the charge, the bill has generated significant cross-party support. The French government backs it. If they were successful, France would be the first country in the world to grant abortion rights in its constitution. Currently, French law protects abortion rights under a 1975 law. This has been amended numerous times, most recently in 2022, to extend the legal abortion period from 12 to 14 weeks. Parliament could, however, revoke it as it could all laws. However, changing the constitution is much more complicated, requiring either a national referendum or a 3/5th majority in the French Congress. It is therefore argued that constitutionalizing abortion rights would safeguard them even if a pro-life majority were elected.
Moreover, French organizations fighting for reproductive rights are fearful of further reversals globally. Additionally, the growing concern is prompted by a noticeable pattern in certain countries where the fair right takes power and attacks abortion rights as soon as they do so. In Hungary, the hardline nationalist government made listening to a fetal heartbeat before an abortion mandatory last year. Poland, where abortions are only permitted under certain circumstances, such as rape, incest, or a threat to the mother’s health, passed further restrictions in 2020 when the conservative Law and Justice party outlawed abortions based on fetal defects. Recently, Argentina elected a far-right president who promised to reverse the country’s 2020 abortion rights. Consequently, due to all these factors France is taking steps to prevent future attacks on abortion rights, even though abortion rights aren’t under attack right now.
Weekly Post #6: “Gender pay gap in U.S. hasn’t changed much in two decades”
An article released by the Pew Research Center focuses on the gender pay gap in the United States. Essentially, the gender pay gap in the United States has pretty much stayed the same over the past 20 years. In 2022, women earned 82% of what men made, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of full- and part-time workers’ hourly earnings. Those results are about the same as in 2002 when women earned 80% of what men made. The article highlights that in spite of increasing female presence in higher-paying jobs previously dominated by men, women are still overrepresented in lower-paying occupations. Thus, this could partly explain the gender pay gap. Further, the article goes on to mention that there may be other factors contributing to the wage discrepancy that are difficult to measure, such as gender discrimination and gender roles. They stress that there is a difference in pressures for working women and men when it comes to caring for their families. Research shows that having children can reduce women’s earnings and having kids can increase men’s earnings. Interestingly, the Center’s survey found that 25 percent of employed U.S. adults are currently either their boss or the top manager at work. They were able to assess the data and found that a boss or top manager is more likely to be a man than a woman (28% versus 21%).
https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/03/01/gender-pay-gap-facts/
Weekly Post #5: “Iran: Draft hijab law tantamount to ‘gender apartheid’ say rights experts”
In an article published on September 1, 2023, UN News sheds light on worrying developments regarding the new draft law in Iran. This law imposes new punishments on women and girls who don’t wear the headscarf in public. A group of UN Human Rights Council-appointed experts expressed deep concern about this draft law. They hold that this draft law could be viewed as a form of gender apartheid, as authorities seem to govern through discrimination designed to suppress women and girls. Added to the existing laws, they say they could amount to gender persecution. Among the main concerns of the experts is that it imposes harsh punishments for non-compliance, which could lead to violence. They added that it violates fundamental rights such as the right to participate in culture, the right to freedom of expression, the right to peaceful protest, and the right to social, educational, and health services. These developments come after months of protests over Jina Mahsa Amini’s death and restrictive veiling laws. The 22-year-old was arrested in Tehran by the morality police for allegedly not complying with hijab laws. Her death is reported to have resulted from being severely beaten at a police station. Despite reports that she had been assaulted, Iranian authorities denied it. Furthermore, the Human Rights Council experts warn that women who are economically marginalized will suffer disproportionately from the new punishments. Also, managers and directors of organizations who fail to enforce the law can also face punishment.
“Men and Anti-Violence Initiatives in Afghanistan and Pakistan” by Daisy Edmondson
In Afghanistan and Pakistan, where gender-based violence (GBV) has long cast an oppressive shadow, the role of men in anti-violence initiatives is a subject of profound significance. The article titled “Men and Anti-violence Initiatives: Transnational Feminist Reflections from Afghanistan and Pakistan” by Joyce Wu, published in Gender, Place & Culture: A Journal of Feminist Geography in October of 2019, provides valuable insights into the dynamics of these initiatives and the challenges faced in fostering change.
Wu begins by contextualizing the discussion, acknowledging the pervasive nature of GBV in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Both countries grapple with deeply entrenched patriarchal norms and structures, creating an environment where violence against women is not only prevalent but often normalized. The article examines the unique socio-cultural landscapes that shape the experiences of women in these regions.
The lens through which Wu explores men’s involvement in anti-violence initiatives is distinctly transnational feminist. This perspective recognizes the interconnectedness of feminist struggles globally while appreciating the local nuances that influence the effectiveness of anti-violence efforts. By adopting this approach, the article seeks to transcend borders and provide a holistic understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by those working towards dismantling patriarchal violence.
A central theme of Wu’s work revolves around the role of men in challenging and changing the deeply ingrained culture of violence. The article critically examines various initiatives and reflections from Afghanistan and Pakistan, highlighting the diverse strategies employed by men involved in anti-violence efforts. It sheds light on the importance of engaging men as allies in the fight against GBV and emphasizes the need for an inclusive approach that acknowledges the complexities of masculinity within these societies.
An important aspect of Wu’s analysis is the consideration of intersectionality, recognizing that individuals experience oppression differently based on various factors such as gender, class, ethnicity, and more. The article highlights the necessity of acknowledging these intersections in anti-violence initiatives to ensure inclusivity and effectiveness.
The challenges faced by men engaged in anti-violence work are not overlooked. The article discusses the resistance encountered due to entrenched gender norms, the potential for co-optation of initiatives, and the complexities of navigating societal expectations. Despite these challenges, the work of these men is presented as a crucial step toward fostering gender equity and dismantling systemic violence.
In concluding the exploration, Wu advocates for a collective and intersectional approach to anti-violence initiatives. The article invites readers to reflect on the significance of men’s involvement in challenging patriarchal structures and encourages a nuanced understanding of the efforts underway in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Wu’s work serves as a call to action for scholars, activists, and policymakers alike. By examining the role of men in anti-violence initiatives through a transnational feminist lens, the article invites a reevaluation of current strategies and emphasizes the importance of fostering collaborations that transcend geographical and cultural boundaries.
I found that this perspective provided new insights into the current efforts and men’s role in feminist activism, especially in dangerous conflict zones like Afghanistan. If you’d like to read Wu’s article, I’m providing the link below!