Trigger Warning: This essay contains graphic stories and content about rape, domestic abuse, and violence against women.
“Over a third of all women worldwide have experienced physical and/or sexual violence (not including sexual harassment) at some point in their lives. One hundred and thirty-seven women across the world are killed by a member of their own family every day.” ― Laura Bates, Men Who Hate Women: From Incels to Pickup Artists: The Truth about Extreme Misogyny and How it Affects Us All
It is my opinion ― and lived experience ― during the past ten years, women, vulnerable children, people who identify outside of the binary construct, BIPOC and other marginalized communities have increasingly lost rights, equity, and bodily autonomy and protection. We’ve been ‘othered’, targets of hate speech, and victims of violence. Conservative religious beliefs, misogyny, racism, proliferation of gun violence, and the weaponization of politics for personal power and gain are the root causes. Continue reading