#MeToo movement not quite there yet
For several months, the world has witnessed the rise of the #MeToo Movement, with a number of women coming forward to speak up about their trauma as victims of sexual assault and harassment. In many parts of the world, including India and China, the movement has gone beyond sexual harassment to the call for ending sexism. In particular, women’s groups in China lashed out at the staterun media which denied sexual misconduct while in reality it is well known that sexism is still an issue, with some employers specifying “men only” or “men preferred” in job ads.
Like many women, I was touched by Oprah Winfrey’s inspirational speech at the 2018 Golden Globes that urged women to be strong and speak out.
“So I want all the girls watching here, now, to know that a new day is on the horizon,” she said. “And when that new day finally dawns, it will be because of a lot of magnificent women, many of whom are right here in this room tonight, and some pretty phenomenal men, fighting hard to make sure that they become the leaders who take us to the time when nobody ever has to say ‘Me too’ again.” After her powerful speech, I envisaged the old male-dominated world crumbling down, women becoming independent, and becoming leaders.
I was wrong. Recent incidents captured by the media make me realise that sexism remains as strong as ever.
In Japan, a medical school admitted that it had tried to limit the seats for female students. On Aug 7, amid public outcry, executives of the Tokyo Medical University bowed their heads in front of the press, apologising for altering score results to keep female admissions below 30% since 2006.
The university also upped the scores for most male applicants. Thousands of women failed to pass the exam as a result. Limiting female intake was based on an assumption that females are likely to take leave or quit when they have children.
Thailand is no better. The Royal Thai Police has 250 male-only positions. Reasons? The jobs are too intense and stressful for women. If accepted, they would not stay with the agency for long due to family obligations that would affect their work such as giving birth, child-raising and household chores.
“We take into consideration women’s welfare. This is not a women’s rights violation,” deputy RTP spokesman Pongpol Iamvijarn said, defending the decision. His statement drew ire, not from the public but other officers in the force. A female officer who asked not to be named complained about gender discrimination at work.
In fact, the number of resignations between male and female officers isn’t significantly different. Female officers, in many cases, resigned because of sexism in the workplace that limited their role and opportunities for promotion.
Chika Shinohara, an associate professor of sociology at Momoyama Gakuin University in Japan, who studies gender and employment issues, points out during our discussion that sexism at formal institutions like work and school is “structural discrimination”.
“It’s not one person who tries to discriminate against women, but it’s within the system,” she says. “There’s an assumption that men can work like robots. But, even men can get sick due to long-hours and stressful work.”
Japan, similar to Thailand, has implemented laws for equal employment opportunities and its constitution marks gender equality. “But just because such laws exist, it doesn’t mean a complete change in society,” she says.
Ms Shinohara, who is also a mother, has remained an active researcher even after giving birth.
There are many women like her who do not fit lazy stereotypes. My mother is one of those who chose not to give up work after getting married and having children despite pressure from her husband’s family. Yet she told me that women’s power, their independence and great courage, have always existed. They’ve reacted against sexism in each of their own ways. Communication technology and globalisation help amplify their voices. An Indian-born Canadian poet, Rupi Kaur, once wrote about the greatest lesson for women; “That since day one, she’s already had everything she needs within herself. It’s the world that convinced her she did not.”
I admire all the women who have come forward to report and criticise gender inequality, including those who have spoken out against sexism in workplaces over the past weeks. Without their voices, the reality of gender inequality will continue to be distorted by those take advantage of it.