Reclaiming Our Time!

“It is literally impossible to be a woman…We have to always be extraordinary, but somehow we’re always doing it wrong” -Gloria from Barbie?

Women’s History Month is a time to celebrate the rights and existence of women with joy and empowerment. It stands as a reminder that no matter the creed, career, or role a woman may hold, she is worthy of good things. The intersections of a woman’s identity hold multiple truths that exist at the same time. America Ferrera’s infamous monologue in the award-winning film, Barbie, speaks to the truths of the female lived experience and the pressure to do it all, and do it flawlessly.? Her speech speaks to the gender double standard and the emphasized duality women attempt to achieve. But where do these expectations stem from and how can women navigate while being true to who they are??

Author Scott Lauria Morgensen says in their work Theorising Gender, Sexuality and Settler Colonialism: An Introduction that “gender and sexuality are intrinsic to the colonization of indigenous peoples and the promulgation of European modernity by settlers.” This suggests that colonialism is not simply about the acquisition of land or resources; it is also about imposing new cultural norms, values, and systems of power. For women, the workplace can act as a place of oppression as efforts to deconstruct cis-heteronormative attitudes and social structures are at the expense and emotional labour of gender minorities.?

The Harvard Business Review (2020) concluded in their study that “to address its gender issue, the firm [or workplace] would have to address its long hours issue.” In many households, women are responsible for majority of the caregiving. Some women are faced with a heavy amount of guilt for having to choose between excelling in their career and home life. Westernized views of motherhood and a woman’s role portrayed in mainstream media create unrealistic expectations that leave women feeling stigmatized and scrutinized if they deviate from the conventional roles assigned to them. Even if a woman is not a mother or caregiver in some capacity, there still exists an assumption that women may not be as invested as men in their work. These assumptions play into the gender pay gap, hinder promotions, and can make the workplace unwelcoming to women in many spaces.?

Despite unrealistic standards, expectations and injustices, women are thriving and continue to achieve unbelievable feats that make our world a better place to live for all people.? We celebrate women this month and encourage every woman to utilize and tap into their innate wisdom and intuition to cultivate joy in their work and personal lives. Enjoy the moments in life that make you feel and experience the fullness of your definition of true womanhood. Walk in the confidence knowing that so many others walk with you.??

What’s the greatest lesson a woman should learn? That since day one, she’s already had everything she needs within herself. It’s the world that convinced her she did not.” -Rupi Kaur

?References:

Morgensen, S. L. (2012). Theorising gender, sexuality and settler colonialism: An introduction. settler colonial studies, 2(2), 2-22.

What’s really holding women back? Harvard Business Review. (2020, February 19). https://hbr.org/2020/03/whats-really-holding-women-back