What is the biggest challenge facing women and girls in your country today? by Man Yan Tung, Taylor

‘Mom, where are you?’ I was sobbing since I was witnessing my classmates leaving the kindergarten one by one. At that time, I was merely five years old and I was the last kid leaving the kindergarten. ‘Why couldn’t you come pick me up earlier? What caused the delay?’ When I finally saw my mother, I questioned her anxiously. ‘It’s all because of work. You should know I have to work hard to make a living. I have been occupied since I was back in the office this morning so I came late.’ Mom stared at me and said tiredly. ‘If so, why didn't dad come instead?’ I asked perplexingly. ‘That’s because your dad is a man. Men are born to focus on building their careers instead of taking care of household chores.’ Mom said involuntarily. Looking at my exhausted mother who is obviously drained by her work and roles as a working mother, I cannot help but to reflect upon women’s status in society. The seed was sprouted in my heart - why are men allowed to be career-oriented but not women? 

Growing up, I have become an enthusiast of science-fiction such as Marvel films. I love everything that is stereotypically defined as “boy's stuff”, and I was ridiculed by the boys in the class as an ‘odd girl’. Why can't I love what I love just because I’m a girl? Even though I have many grievances in my heart, I dare not get angry in front of them because people say girls should always hold their temper. It was not until 10 years old, when I heard Emma Watson's speech at the United Nations, which still inspires me many years later to realize that He and She are naturally two halves of the same whole, it is about solidarity. It builds on the assumption that gender stereotypes and gender segregation have created specific roles and power relations, of which not only women but also men are victims. 

So why can't men do housework and women focus on careers instead? I seem to know the answer now. 

In many interviews with role models in the workplace, the reporter's question to men is ‘What power has supported you to reach today's achievements?’ When interviewing female role models, it becomes ‘How do you balance work and family?’ So the social subconscious is assumed that women should take care of the family and earn money to support the family. According to the 2021 survey report on the current situation of Chinese women in the workplace, nearly 60% of women were asked about their marriage and childbearing status 

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Mu Kuang English School 

5B (14) Man Yan Tung, Taylor 

when applying for jobs, and 58.25% of them were asked the following questions: 'Are you married?; ‘Do you have a child?’; It seems that these questions about private life have become a compulsory for women in interviews, while only 23.9% of men encounter the same questions. In general, women's privacy is violated far more than men's when applying for jobs. Women have to put in more effort to balance parenting and career. My supermom is a typical representative. 

To address this issue, education and publicity are essential. More documentaries and movies are directed to women’s workplace themes by showing the unequal treatment of women in the workplace need to be filmed and even create female superheroes. For instance, Feminism: What Were They Thinking?; Hidden Figures, etc. It allows ignorant people and our next generation to have a deeper understanding of gender equality, publicity has a positive impact on their concerns, to constructively stop this vicious cycle of sexism. 

With social advancement, the world has opened up much more educational opportunities for women, and women have begun to realize gender discrimination in society. Looking at the long river of history, our ancestors have marched and resisted women's rights since the 18th century. I admire their courage and determination to change the world, if not us, who? 

All in all, feminism with practical significance should pursue equal rights between men and women, which does not only matter to a few women but the vital interests of all men. Understanding is the first step to reach a consensus. Feminism should not be demonized, men and women should not be enemies. I hope everyone can jointly build a harmonious and fair society through rational communication. I also hope that all women, no matter what path you choose and what role you take, do not criticize yourself to become the ‘perfect woman’ from the gaze of others, because the definition of women can only be determined by women themselves.