Not Over Yet

As I was thinking about what to write, I thought it would be a great idea to start off this brand new blog by widening the scope of our focus and taking a look at other feminist movements around the world. To be inspired by what is truly a global movement, and learn from the efforts of equality-minded men and women everywhere, who have the same ultimate goal that we do here at 50^2.

I flipped open my laptop and started to research. An hour later, I was left dumbfounded. The results I could find, were mostly about the detrimental effect of the #metoo movement, or about the efforts of feminists from the 18th century, and how they fought for the ballot. No mention of new foundations, dedicated women, bringing about change in their own country, or governmental shifts towards more equal pay.

I think my search reflects a common attitude towards feminism today. An attitude that says: “We already did that.” People who believe that the battle is over. That perfect equality has been achieved, or at least close enough. And yes, things have come so far for women. In parts of the world, we can vote, go to school, hold almost any job we wish, and hypothetically reach the same status as men. But this is not true everywhere. We are still on the road to equality. As girls in South Sudan who can’t go to primary school, intelligent women in powerful careers receiving less than their male counterparts, little girls who are discouraged from being “bossy”, little boys who are laughed at for crying or caring too deeply, girls who sit estranged in science classrooms full of boys, men who are pressured to be the only one carrying the financial burden, and victims of sexual assault will tell you, the journey is not over yet.

This is why I think 50^2 matters. We can’t let the issue of equality fall into the background of the news and be forgotten once the initial splash of giant movements fade, or start to be criticized. Equality is too important for that. We have to keep moving forward, not letting ourselves, or society, fall back into the ancient patterns of injustice.

In 50^2, we hope to spread awareness about this topic, raise money to give to wonderful foundations who empower, and come alongside women who have felt the brutal reality of gender inequality, and give the students of ICS a chance to share how they have been impacted by harmful social constraints, so that we can work together, to make ICS an equal place, full of determined feminists.

I am so excited about the launch of this new blog and hope that it can play a big role in serving the ultimate purpose of 50^2. In the future, we will feature interviews with ICS students and staff on the topic of feminism, editorials from our wonderful and passionate excom, real-life narratives, and news from around Bangkok and from our other branches about what’s going on on a larger scale.