None of this is new… but we have to keep talking about it

As we move through 2024, it's clear that the journey toward gender equality is far from over. Despite decades of advocacy and milestones, the road ahead remains daunting. According to a report from Focus2030.org, It will take an estimated 131 years to reach global gender parity if we continue at our current pace. This isn't just disappointing; it's unacceptable.

Mothers today face a multifaceted battle. Not only are they striving to raise the next generation, but they are also at the forefront of pressing for change in a world that often seems to insist on preserving outdated norms. This is not new. This is a fight that has been raging for decades, and yet, as mothers, as women, we find ourselves repeating the same tired arguments for why our rights matter.

Women in civil rights movements have historically battled not just societal norms but discrimination within their ranks. Imagine fighting for a cause shoulder to shoulder with colleagues who fail to see you as an equal. This was the reality for many women who had to address sexual harassment and fight to be taken seriously by their male counterparts. It stings to realize that in many parts of the world, these struggles are as relevant today as they were fifty years ago.

In our quest for equality, advocating for equal access to education, employment, and healthcare has been pivotal. The establishment of women's clinics and the passage of Title IX were monumental in improving access to higher education and healthcare for women. Yet, these victories often feel overshadowed by the continuous need to defend them.

The challenge to traditional gender roles has been both fierce and, at times, incredibly isolating. The expectation that a woman's primary role is to be a mother and homemaker persists, diminishing the individual aspirations and capabilities of countless women. The feminist movement has long fought for women to have more than this prescribed identity—to have personal freedom, economic independence, and equal rights in all areas of life, and still social media has found a way to destroy it’s initiial intent for eqal rights with criticisim of an angry movement aimed to demasculate men.

Childcare remains a critical issue. Establishing childcare centers and advocating for tax deductions for childcare expenses were steps meant to empower mothers to pursue careers outside the home. Yet, the balance between career and family life continues to be a tightrope that mothers walk every day, often without a safety net.

The legal battles over reproductive rights are a stark reminder of how volatile our gains can be. The rollback of abortion rights in the U.S. in 2022 was a chilling wake-up call to women everywhere. It underscored the fragility of our freedoms and the constant vigilance required to protect them.

It's deeply frustrating that in 2024, women's rights organizations, which have been overwhelmingly responsible for progress, continue to operate with scant resources. The underfunding of these crucial bodies is not just an oversight; it's a reflection of global priorities that still fail to place gender equality at the forefront.

I write this today not just a reflection or a recount of historical facts; it's a rally cry. The issues mothers face today are as pressing as they have ever been. They are not new problems, but they require new energy, new strategies, and relentless advocacy. The fight for gender equality is ongoing and it is fierce. We owe it to ourselves and to the next generation of mothers to keep talking, keep shouting, and keep fighting until we are heard.

None of this is new... but we cannot afford to stop talking about it.