I believe the most important step we can take to help the cause of feminism is to spread education on it. Think about how many people are misinformed (see: “What is feminism?”). And the simple misinterpretation has led so many people to be blindly dismissive or even against the cause! Are that many people really against gender equality? No. So I urge for you educated individuals to spread your knowledge to anyone who has the wrong idea about feminism. If people start taking this seriously, we will be able to get somewhere. Additionally, if stereotypes about feminists are set straight to the world, women and men collectively will be more likely to proudly say they are feminists, therefore strengthening us as a whole. And the few left who do firmly believe that women should remain inferior will be greatly outnumbered.

There are many organizations and causes with the goal of obtaining certain advances for women, for example the Equal Rights Amendment (the proposed amendment to guarantee equal legal rights for all American citizens regardless of sex; still not a part of the Constitution because it has not been ratified validly by enough of the states) and the Malala Fund (an organization dedicated to working towards ensured girls’ education around the world). Causes like these outline various ways ordinary individuals can contribute. Additional organizations include the National Women’s Law Center, National Organization for Women (both of which fight for reproductive rights, legal equality, LGBT+ and racial justice, economic security, and ending violence against women) and Stop Street Harassment (focuses on the acknowledgement and ending of gender-based street harassment). All of these funds have the goal of raising enough awareness to finally create clear rules and regulations that ensure progress for large-scale aspects of female rights and safety.

So what do we do about the small scale? If you have read this far on the website, you understand that there are many discreet and less-noticed forms of sexism in the world that cannot be tolerated anymore. The casual objectifying comments made by male peers; the way girls can be called “sluts” but boys will be called “studs;” the female-exclusive fear of walking alone at night; the way young girls are taught to be “ladylike” and not “bossy,” while boys are praised for their authoritativeness and let off the hook because “boys will be boys;” the one female body type that is idealized through every kind of media, causing eating disorders and low self-esteem in girls; the trend of authority figures asking what the woman was wearing when she was raped, victim blaming and making all women afraid of coming forward about their traumatic experiences; the stereotype backed up through the entertainment industry that girls prioritize their love life, while boys are more focused on work or sports; the fact that America voted for a president who has publicly admitted his sexual harassment of women with no apology. These instances, while oppressive and offensive, cannot be solved by laws. On paper, there is nothing wrong with most of them, since the way we were raised cannot be penalized in court. But anyone who has grown up influenced by these experiences can speak to the silent damage they do. They add to the passive pushing down of girls and women– they remind us all throughout our lives that we do not need to be taken seriously.

So, finally. Here we are. What YOU can do to help diminish this issue. The first step is to withdraw yourself from the pop culture that discreetly targets women. This means to stop: slut shaming (in any form), judging girls for what they look like, laughing at sexist jokes, supporting politicians or other leaders that do not take sexual harassment seriously, using derogatory female terms, or giving in to any media that tries to advertise the so-called “perfect body” solely on the basis of looks. I understand that you may be subconsciously doing some of these things without trying to be sexist– it’s not your fault that society has so willfully perpetuated these trends. But the destruction of these norms starts with each person who refuses to spread them. In short, make sure you yourself emit female empowerment.

The next step to take would be calling out other people who feed into the system. If you hear somebody making a body-shaming comment, shut it down and maybe even point out how that reinforces a misogynistic power structure. Since it’s such a problem targeting women anyway (coming from all genders), any one could be shamed for the body they have. So why contribute to a problem that doesn’t even show mercy to you? Any respectful way of advising people to back away from the sexist habits they have (most likely without realizing how they are wrong) will likely make them think and ultimately make a difference.

Unsurprisingly, the greatest thing you can do is be vocal about your stance. Since these more granular kinds of female oppression cannot necessarily be regulated through laws, court action, or rules, there is only a microscopic chance that they will go away without direct, personal opposition. I urge you to speak up when you can, share this site and the resources I have attached, and take no more BS from the world.

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