This column is about women. But, if you are a man, please do not stop reading. This applies to your mother, sister, girlfriend, daughter, niece and cousin. This applies to the girl next door and it applies to your grandmother. Because this column is about women, it applies to everyone.
March is Women’s History Month. Even though women do have much to celebrate, the progress that has been made is not nearly enough.
Statistics still show that females are called on in class less often than males at all grade levels—from kindergarten to college. This is especially true in math and science classes.
Perhaps because of this, fewer women enter the higher-paying science and engineering fields after graduation. Even though women represent 43 percent of the population, they earn only 22 percent of all bachelor’s degrees, and only 13 percent of all Ph.D.’s. Only 10 percent of all scientists and engineers are women. Even after the advent of feminism, women are still clustered in traditional, lower-paying “female” occupations such as teaching, nursing and secretarial work.
Granted, these jobs can be fulfilling and rewarding, but many women, influenced by teachers, parents and society, have no choice but to accept these careers.
Regardless of her chosen career, a woman will also earn an average of 10 to 20 percent less than a man in the same job. This is a frightening statistic, especially when one considers that 90 percent of single parents are women.
Outside of the workplace and the classroom, women are at an even greater disadvantage. They are 84 times more likely than men to be involved in an abusive relationship, and four women are killed in the United States each day by current or former husbands and boyfriends. Statistics show that 50 percent of women will experience a physically or verbally abusive relationship at one point in their lives.
Women are also at a greater risk of rape or violent crime. Nine out of 10 rape victims are women, and one out of four American women will experience a rape or an attempted rape during her lifetime. These are only rough figures, since nine out of 10 rapes go unreported.
Giving women a month of celebration will not solve any of these problems. Instead of taking one month out of the year to celebrate the accomplishments of women, we should think about the progress that still needs to be made. And everyone should take steps to ensure that progress is made.
If you believe that women should have a say in society, do not just celebrate Women’s History Month. Do something to further women’s history. Volunteer for an organization that helps women. Spend a few hours a week staffing phones at a rape crisis center. Donate clothing to a shelter for battered women. Volunteer to advise a Girl Scout troop and let the women of tomorrow know that they can make a difference today.
And if you do not have time to volunteer, take a few minutes to talk to a young girl. Let your daughters, your sisters, your nieces and your younger friends know that their opinion counts. Tell them to take a stand for what they think is right. Encourage them to take part in activities that interest them and to strive to be the best at whatever they do.
Talk to your brothers and nephews and sons. Tell them that women are their mental equals. Let them know that it is their responsibility to treat women, and all people, with respect.
This month, and every month, should be spent working to ensure that “equal work” really does mean “equal pay,” that “no” really does mean “no,” and that equal rights should be granted to everyone. Future generations have the right to grow up in a world where all people are treated equally, regardless of race or gender.
Then we really will have something to celebrate.
