For so long now women have been policed. You might think it sounds a little histrionic, or disagree. If so I challenge you to take a look around and reconsider. It takes a lot of effort to really look at our own society and critique it. It takes even more energy (and a lot of integrity) to admit seeing something you previously denied existed.
Women are told what to wear, who to hang out with, how to be, how to smile, wait that’s too smiley, now you’re flirty, you slut, tease, typical woman.
We’re told time and time again that we are responsible for the behaviour of others. Our own bodies are restricted and legislated against so much we need other people’s permission to do something with it.
Enough.
For too long conservative representatives have used and abused women: their staffers, colleagues, wives, girlfriends and by extension their constituents. I thought self-determination was at the heart of conservative ideology? Except if you’re a woman.
With the death of Aiia last month in Melbourne the light is on high-profile male representatives to speak out against violence against women but what do we hear? Crickets. Then when high-profile women, like Jane Caro, speak out ironically, they are met with violence, belittling and more get-back-in-your-place-woman narrative.
So what are we supposed to do? I for one have made the conscious decision to continue to speak out against violence, against the complacency of our governments and against casual sexism and misogyny. I may be called a party pooper with no sense of humour but at least I stand for something. What do you stand for? Who do you stand with? Make a mark in your community and speak out. You’ll find support, find the helpers – they are there, looking for the courage to speak up too. Collective voices are always much louder so use them to demand action from your councillors, your state MP and their federal colleagues.
There are two elections coming up over the next few months. Make them count.
Be that change, you’d have my support.
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Women dead in January: 2
Women dead in 2019 so far: 2
