This blog has been re-published from Youth Care Canada (https://youthcarecommittecanada.weebly.com/blog/feminism-x-the-patriarchy).
The original author of this blog post is: Hailey Chutter (she/her).
On January 5th, 2022, the Youth CARE Committee (YCC) had the pleasure of hearing from Anahita “Anna” Thukral. We are so excited to have kicked 2022 off with such an impactful speaker and we hope you enjoy our takeaways:
Background
Anna is the founder of Hear Her Stories, the founder of DiWo, and a contributor to Forbes Women. Anna has a remarkable story herself – to mention a few aspects: Anna speaks four languages (including learning Thai to complete her Master’s degree in Thailand) and has found her home in Canada with her husband both as first-generation immigrants.
Hear Her Stories is a Canadian, female owned and operated media platform that amplifies women’s voices and stories to celebrate, connect and inspire readers. This media platform showcases stories of diverse, “everyday” women to show the incredible journeys and accomplishments from women that are often not represented in the mainstream media. This unique community believes in the power of stories and is actively working to decrease barriers for women globally. Hear Her Stories sheds light on trailblazing women that are too often overlooked.
Anna is also the founder of DiWo which is an abbreviation for “diverse women”. This is a platform that connects organizations to women from diverse backgrounds, and is set to launch in early 2022. It will act as a pipeline for qualified women to help companies close the gaps in regards to employment for women. DiWo stands boldly in its dedication to create not only an inclusive world for everyone, but a place were everyone can flourish.
Terms That Lead to the Patriarchy
The Patriarchy is a social structure characterized by male dominance and female oppression. Before women were allowed to participate in office, the USA functioned as a formal patriarchy. Although women are no longer legally prevented from presuming leadership roles, the system’s legacy can be seen in current low rates of women in leadership. In her presentation, Anna taught us about other terms relating to the patriarchy that are important to understand.
Knowing what these terms mean and how they connect with you personally, is a vital first step when learning about feminism and the patriarchy.
Misogyny:
- Hatred or contempt for women. It is a form of sexism used to keep women at a lower social status than men, thus maintaining the societal roles of the patriarchy.
Toxic Masculinity:
- A cultural concept of manliness that glorifies stoicism, strength, virility, and dominance – which is socially harmful to mental health.
Heteronormative:
- The idea that being heterosexual (straight) is the preferred/default sexual orientation.
Male Gaze:
- A way of seeing the world through a heterosexual masculine lens that objectifies and sexualized women. This type of entitlement can contribute to rape culture.
What is the Difference Between the Patriarchy and Feminism?
Anna deepened our understanding of the patriarchy and feminism by directly comparing them. This graph shows that the main difference between them is where women are positioned socially, politically, and economically.
Growing up in India, Anna saw that many patriarchal views were ingrained in societal structures. She felt the normalization of patriarchal expectations and attitudes within social settings and everyday life. A quote that really stood out to us was “growing up as a brown girl in a brown household, I could either voice my opinion or have a good relationship with my parents”. Since then, Anna has unpacked and unlearned the social boundaries she was surrounded by and has redefined for herself how she chooses to walk through life.
When Others “Make Fun” of Feminists:
Anna wrote the powerful piece below from her personal experiences with those that have questioned, laughed at, or denied the need for feminism in society. A key part of her words are statistics on various women’s issues, and she emphasized in her presentation that leaning on data can be a useful tactic for approaching those who are not convinced that feminism is needed.
There is Always a Reason to Celebrate
A main theme in Anna’s work is connection. She recognizes that at its core, the goals of feminism are propelled forward when individuals can see each other and see opportunities. Through storytelling in Hear Her Stories, and job opportunity availability in DiWo, Anna tackles the role of connection in the feminist movement beautifully. She excels in creating connection, and specifically focuses on women identifying as Disabled, Black, Indigenous, People of Colour & 2SLGBTQIA+.
Despite violence, the burden of climate change, poverty, and other hurdles, women facing the most disparities in the hierarchy of the patriarchy are continuously fighting for a better world. Anna believes that instead of celebrities making the news, everyday people need to be highlighted to inspire the next generation. We could not agree more.
Moving Forward
- Engage with Hear Her Stories! Subscribe to their newsletter here. Submit your story here.
- Reflect on where your news comes from, who takes up space on your social feeds, and what media you engage with. How can you diversify the narratives you hear and see?
- Evaluate how patriarchal ideas are infused in your personal life– your relationships, family, work, school, etc. Where did you learn these values from? How can these values be dismantled?
There is Always a Reason to Celebrate
A main theme in Anna’s work is connection. She recognizes that at its core, the goals of feminism are propelled forward when individuals can see each other and see opportunities. Through storytelling in Hear Her Stories, and job opportunity availability in DiWo, Anna tackles the role of connection in the feminist movement beautifully. She excels in creating connection, and specifically focuses on women identifying as Disabled, Black, Indigenous, People of Colour & 2SLGBTQIA+.
Despite violence, the burden of climate change, poverty, and other hurdles, women facing the most disparities in the hierarchy of the patriarchy are continuously fighting for a better world. Anna believes that instead of celebrities making the news, everyday people need to be highlighted to inspire the next generation. We could not agree more.
Moving Forward
- Engage with Hear Her Stories! Subscribe to their newsletter here. Submit your story here.
- Reflect on where your news comes from, who takes up space on your social feeds, and what media you engage with. How can you diversify the narratives you hear and see?
- Evaluate how patriarchal ideas are infused in your personal life– your relationships, family, work, school, etc. Where did you learn these values from? How can these values be dismantled?
