Breaking the Chains of Oppression by Women

“Together we stand, divided we fall”

So you’re a feminist woman or you’re not. But you care about ” women’s rights, equality and empowerment”. Yet have you looked into your thoughts, words and actions that are sometimes oppressive to other women? A recent experience of female on female oppression made me question and reflect upon the various ways we as women become obstacles to the success and growth of other women and girls. In a heartfelt discussion with my older brother, he pointedly remarked that it must be much more painful when the hate is channelled and women’s progress sabotaged by other women. He was correct. It was painful and hard to swallow indeed.
Even beyond the master plans of sabotage, the slightest and subtlest remarks and actions corrode the spirit of sisterhood. The haste to define and label HER looks, actions, mannerisms, and development when it is contrary to ours is detrimental not only on a women’s movement level, but on a much more deeper and personal level because that criticism or attack is either a manifestation of an unmet need or a feeling of threat to one’s own self-esteem. Yet why is one’s self-esteem tied to another’s success or failure? Especially given that we all are unique beings and excel in our different ways, making impact in our own special paths. If we think creatively, more slices can come out of that pie and we might even be able to share each other’s fork.
To understand our own value and worth as unique women in this world is to embrace the fullness of who we are as individuals. Instead of expending energy in the oppression and character assassination of another woman, a worthwhile venture would be to dedicate time to reflect upon what our authentic place in this world is and use that knowledge to contribute towards greatness. The expression of hating on or trying to bring down another woman is simply the internalization of patriarchal misogyny, where in our imagined process of deconstructing patriarchy, we are effectively acting as its vehicle every time we drag another woman down.
There are enough sayings and quotes that diminish the capacity of female connections without us becoming the agents that tarnish our own solidarity. So next time you hear the saying ” set sibeza gomen teneza” (too many women spoil the cabbage) and you laugh along, take a moment and think about what your agreement means to women’s circle building. The climb towards equality with men should not be at the expense of unleashing an avalanche for those women climbing right behind you. Our individual journeys and step ups pave the way for all of us to rise up together.
I invite all of you phenomenal women reading this to create a supportive circle of sisterhood and encourage others to do the same. That circle of sisterhood need not remain exclusive but grow and include for there are many stories to share, to write, to create and to realize. When you see a woman who has what you secretly desire, choose to be inspired by rather than threatened by her. Celebrate her!
To all those women in my life and in my sisterhood circle supporting and sharing my experience of growth and whose growth I love to support, thank you for your divine feminine energy!


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Love & Light

3 Comments
  1. I agree with you, Billene…
    Yet, it is easy to talk about sisterhood and difficult to feel it inside when you haven’t had the chance to experience it.
    There is little being done to encourage sisterhood. Competition among girls – particularly about being the cutest, prettiest, most admired etc. – was absolutely “normal” when I was growing up. I doubt there have been significant changes since then.
    So, what we need (and I dare to generalize here) is the real-life experience of sisterhood. There are certainly different ways of providing it, and I would love to hear about them.
    I myself opted for leading workshops for women. In the protected space of such a workshop, undistracted by male presence and the kicking-in patterns of mating dances, women get to realize that they have more in common than they believed; they experience the power of mutual support rather than mutual belittling; they grow when their sisters do, and they help each other thrive. (They do so quite avidly, as if they had to make up for so many years of fighting off others and struggling on their own…)
    Yes, being unsupportive starts in our thoughts, and comparing ourselves to others is mostly unhelpful.
    But knowing that is not enough – we need to experience the “other option”, the “other possible world”, first hand.
    Love
    Helena

    1. Helena, thanks for your feedback. Considering what the “other option” as you put it is necessary indeed. I have my eye on and head in avenues that would facilitate experiencing sisterhood and hopefully will be able to share soon.

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