Hello again to those of you reading!  It’s been a while since my last post and to be honest, I’ve been struggling with ideas on what to write about next.  I have so many ideas and opinions that I want to share with the world, but sometimes I find myself hesitating to share my opinion.  Although I am truly fearless about a lot of things in life, I’m still held back by this overwhelming need to please people and often avoid sharing certain opinions if I think they will be somewhat controversial.  I know that sometimes sharing my opinion will cause people to label me as a bitch, when in actuality I’m just speaking my mind.

A perfect example of this is my feminist beliefs.  A few weeks ago was International Women’s Day, and from the news articles & social media posts I saw, there were a lot of men questioning the existence of this day.  Being the feminist that I am, I so badly wanted to share my feelings on why I think that day is so important.  Every time I saw a post of a man asking when International Men’s Day is, I got upset at their ignorance.  (For the record, there is actually a designated International Men’s Day in November for all the complainers)  So, without further adieu, here is my ‘bitchy’ take on this topic.

• There’s a reason society has a designated International Women’s Day-mainly because there is still a TON of inequality that females all around the world experience every day. 

-Remember 100 years ago, when women in the United States still didn’t have the right to vote?  Kind of important don’t you think?  I also think it’s incredibly inspirational to see how far women in the US have come since we’ve gained the right to vote.  I am so thankful for the women who have paved the way for us.

-If you think that’s ‘ancient history’ (it’s not by the way) then how about the fact that women only make 76% of what men are paid for the same job?  As someone who works in a male dominated industry, I take this statistic seriously.  Being female, I am definitely the minority when it comes to my industry and the company I work for-I am literally one of two female employees where I work.  Over the years, I have been underestimated countless times just because I’m a woman.  I’ve had plenty of interactions where men don’t take me seriously at first-it’s like I have to prove that I know what I’m doing just because of my gender.  Recently, I found out that my boss has had to deal with several rumors and accusations that I was sleeping with him in the past years.  This happened mostly during my first few years that I worked for the company when I had received multiple promotions.  When I heard about this, I was so embarrassed and angry.  I realize that the rumors were mostly from jealous colleagues but it still upsets me.  I’ve advanced in my career because I work hard and do what I’m asked, being female should not have anything to do with it.  Hearing things like this often make me wonder how my experience would be different if I were simply a man.  I’m sure that I would be paid more and not always have to feel like I need to prove my value to others.

-Now, let’s take a look outside the United States and see how women are treated across the world.  Women like me are the lucky ones!  Are you a woman in Saudi Arabia?  It’s against the law for you to drive simply because you’re female.  How about many parts of Africa?  You might be able to drive, but genital mutilation is still widely performed on young girls & women in several regions.  Another terrible problem that kills at least 5000 women a year-honor killings.  In several countries across the Middle East and parts of Asia, it is actually legal for a family member to kill a woman for ‘dishonoring’ the family.  Examples of valid grounds for an honor killing?

• Being a victim of rape.
• Refusing to enter an arranged marriage.
• Seeking a divorce.
• Dressing or acting immodestly.
• Homosexuality.

This truly makes me sick to my stomach to think about.  Especially when I see how privileged the men are in these societies.  They can literally get away with rape and murder!  This is a tragedy that people need to pay attention to.  So today, I am writing in the hopes that at least one person reads this and shares this information with others.  Male or female, we need to speak out about these injustices.  For years, I was hesitant to call myself a feminist because I didn’t want to be seen as radical.  Now, I am proud to say I am a feminist and it is my hope that my readers are too.