What does feminism look like in 2023?
Hey Queen!
Happy new year, I hope you were able to enjoy some time off to rest, recuperate and reignite your fire.
The 9th Jan - a date that has been inevitably looming in a lot of our calendars. Alarms are set, gym bags are packed, outfits are planned and the commute begins again. Back to homemade coffees, as opposed to the delicious daily holiday cafe coffee… and no afternoon cocktails.
But you’ve done it, day 1 is done! So what next?
What does 2023 look like for womxn and feminism at large?
I’ve been giving this question a lot of thought over the last few weeks and I think it’s important for me to break it down into two key sections… what 2023 looks like for feminism & what 2023 looks like for The Georgie Collective.
For Feminism…
In 2023, it will be more important than ever for us to reflect on the progress that has been made and consider how the feminist movement should continue to evolve in order to meet the changing needs of society and womxn. I think the most effective way to do so is to reflect on the current landscape and identify a few key trends.
So here’s my two cents…
LOOK HOW FAR WE’VE COME:
When it comes to equality we know we’ve come a long way, and I think it’s important to centre the work of the womxn and allies that have paved the way before us.
On a local level:
- In the 1960s, womxn earned about 34% of all bachelor's degrees in Australia. By 2021, womxn earned about 56% of all bachelor's degrees.
- In the 1960s, very few womxn held elected office in Australia. In 2021, womxn held about 44% of seats in the Australian Parliament.
- In the 1960s, womxn earned about 60-75% of what men earned in Australia. In 2021, womxn earned about 81% of what men earned, on average.
Now whilst we know there is still a long way to go, let’s ground ourselves in this progress.
THE IMPACT OF TECH?
We know the world is changing and innovating at a rapid pace - and for the most part, it’s amazing. However, as with all cultural shifts these innovations can be misused.
Social media can be a really powerful tool, it invites more womxn than ever to find their voice and connect with other like-minded feminists. However, whilst these tools have the potential to greatly benefit people, there is also the potential for them to be misused, manipulated and misappropriated in harmful ways - as we’ve been seeing with the impact of Andr*w T*te and his followers (Note the asterisk used to ensure his name is never written on this website). This is particularly concerning in the context of people who may wish to silence womxn, queer people, and other minorities by using these technologies in ways that violate privacy and create distrust. It is now more important than ever that we are informed and aware of the content that we are consuming and to ensure we are heroing other womxn’s voices and perspectives.
NEXT-GEN FEMINISTS!
Yes, yes, yes we are here and ready to welcome the next gen of feminists into the arena! With the challenges and complexities of our world, we know that there will be an increasing number of people identifying as feminists, particularly among the younger generations.
This can be attributed to the fact that the word ‘feminist’ has truly been reclaimed from a societal weapon of isolation to a badge of honour and empowerment for equality. In addition, the fact that the younger generation has grown up with access to information about the feminist movement and its history allows for them to learn and identify as such from a young age.
SO, WHAT NEXT FOR FEMINISM AND HOW WILL IT EVOLVE IN 2023?
In order to meet the needs of an ever-changing society, feminism must continue to evolve. Firstly, there must be more inclusivity and diversity within feminist spaces and the movement more generally. There should be an effort to centre and uplift those who are most marginalised, including womxn of colour, queer people, and others who are often excluded from the mainstream feminist movement. Secondly, there must be a greater focus on intersectionality and issues that affect diverse communities. This means bringing attention to the fact that sexism, racism, and other forms of discrimination are closely intertwined with one another, and working together to address them in a meaningful way. There must also be a focus on addressing intersecting issues such as discrimination based on immigration status, income, and disability.
For The Georgie Collective…
Let’s recognise that 2022 - was huge, overwhelming, joyful, amazing and stressful. On a personal level, it was a year of imbalance. Overcommitting at the sacrifice of nothing but oneself - which is unfortunately a narrative that is all too common amongst womxn.
In 2023 we are looking forward to continuing to grow the Collective and diversify our offerings. Our theme for the year is balance & prosperity.
WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT FROM THE GEORGIE COLLECTIVE IN 2023?
IN:
Continuing to work with diverse womxn owned businesses and partners
Cultivating new connections
Asking questions / being curious
Space to play and be creative
Recognising achievements
Body neutrality
(Continuing) to wear bright colour suites
OUT:
Un-attainable success metrics
Number of attendee metrics - instead we are shifting to impact metrics
Negative self-talk (at every level)
Obligation
Expectations
Looking at your phone first thing in the morning
Self-imposed deadlines
Toxic positivity
We are so excited for the year ahead and I promise you we have some very exciting things planned!