Amplifying Women’s Voices

Women account for half the population, yet so many of the key issues that impact our health, wealth and safety are still treated as taboo and insignificant. How can this be?

Earlier this year I attended a women's health event, with a host of talks listed on common topics for women that are still treated as taboo. Those topics included periods, miscarriage, lack of sex drive and menopause. Another on the list was FGM - female genital mutilation. 

While each topic discussed peaked my interest, it’s FGM that I knew very little about. I came away saddened by just how common this is and the impact it has on those it's performed on. In this particular panel discussion, I learnt about the different types of FGM and the stereotypes surrounding who people think perform and suffer from this violation. To put it bluntly, it’s not all Africans performing FGM, as tabloid newspapers may like to portray, there have been many examples from White communities too. 

As I write, I see further news alerts surrounding another injustice women face everyday - violence inflicted by men. The particular example I'm confronted with is of a Black woman who went into a beauty supply shop in Peckham, London to return an item. Instead of receiving a refund, she received the employer’s hands around her neck - choking her, while others looked on. Not only that, but she was then arrested by the Met Police, after the male perpetrator had contacted them - as if he were a victim. This scenario is disgraceful, but sadly not uncommon. 

I’m incredibly thankful to those who were quick to respond and able to show solidarity in their words and actions once the video of the abuse went viral. Seeing further footage of protests outside the shop, along with the many Black journalists and activists covering the incident is a small comfort within the vast injustice of it all. 

I am also grateful to the likes of Black Ballad and Violet Simon, who continue in their mission and passion to amplify women’s voices, especially those of Black women.