One For The Ladies

~ beetleypete

I grew up during the age of ‘Women’s Liberation’. Long-suffering females finally protesting their lot in life, their treatment in a male dominated society, and the interference in the natural functions of their bodies. Outspoken feminists like Germaine Greer finally got some air time to express their frustrations, and to promote their quest for equal treatment. Female workers were protesting in factories and offices about doing the same job for less pay, and with almost no opportunities for advancement.

This was the time when some women were discarding or burning their bras to make a statement.
(Note the audience of excited men watching that happen)

Women had spoken up for their rights before of course.
Like these Suffragettes campaigning for the right to vote, in 1910.

This was also a time when it was difficult to get justice for victims of Rape.
Women who wore attractive clothing, and went out for a drink with a man, were often considered to be ‘asking’ for sex.

Very soon, the words ‘Sexist’ and ‘Sexism’ were seen and heard all around the world.
Along with brave women protesting the existence of both.

More recently, body image has been protested too. Tired of seeing the ‘ideal woman’ portrayed as thin and conventionally ‘attractive’, some have taken the step of showing what many real women actually look like.
Well done to them!

Despite everything, it remains an uphill struggle to this day.
As shown by this woman’s solo protest.

And even after the discovery of DNA testing, and some changes in the laws, Rape victims are still struggling to get recognition and justice.

Keep going ladies. Many of us are on your side!

42 thoughts on “One For The Ladies”

  2. Thanks from the “I can’t believe….still…” it’s so appreciated by this…. ahem. ..sometimes labeled “female chauvinistic pigette” and thought you should know…. what civil rights for humans stances that keep the conversation open for us all to get better have failed males too. In the end. And they still struggle with blow back. Human to human? Thanks fo saying out loud. Sorry for all the times you personally got “runned over” while the wheels of justice, society and cultures grind slow.

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  4. Great post 🙂 I agree with every single word said on these protest signs. Regardless of what a woman wears, she is never asking to be raped. In fact, I can not even believe that any person would come to the conclusion that she was asking for it. Let me tell you something (though you probably already agree with me), it is NEVER and I mean NEVER the woman’s fault. Men should learn to keep their hands to themselves. I mean (capital letters again) HOW HARD IS THAT? I hope you get what I am saying and just so you do not get any weird ideas, I am no social justice warrior 🙂 Anyway, keep up the great work as always 🙂

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  6. “One For The Ladies” I wondered what on earth this post was going to be about when I read the title. It’s what gentlemen’s hairdressers used to ask – “do you want something for the ladies Sir?”. Which, of course, was exactly the problem.

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  11. The reason every woman knows a woman who has been raped but no man knows a rapist is because rapists keep quiet about their crime. So this statement, taken from a placard shown above, unfairly labels ALL men and is therefore sexist. All men do not cover up for rapists: men have sisters, daughters, wives and mothrrs too.
    I will know when gender equality has truly been achieved when there are women playing football alongside men in Football Association matches including the Cup Final and men are cheering them on. When that day comes it will be an indication that society is ready to move forward as one.

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  12. Great post, Pete with awesome pictures to accompany your words. I especially like the three girls dressing as “sluts”. I remember having a hard time with this growing up in the 1970s – 80s when I was young enough to get away with wearing such revealing clothes. The concept of dressing like this sent a message to a man that she was “ready to go”. Like a calling card to identify herself. Dressing sexy meant you wanted sex. I can hear my mom in my ears “to act like a lady and not dress like you wanted it.” It’s a societal paradigm. The activism makes not just men think, but women, too, who grew up thinking somehow there were times when she got what she deserved…

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    1. Thanks very much for your own thoughts on the subject, Cindy.
      I would say something like “I bet you looked good though”, but that would be unforgivably sexist!
      Inappropriate joking aside, I am still amazed at how little real attention this issue gets, especially given the recent publicity generated by the #metoo movement
      Best wishes, Pete. x

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  13. It seems to me, that all the issues addressed above should not be lumped into one issue. Rape, in my opinion, isn’t on the same page as unequal pay. To me, as a woman, rolling every issue that concerns women under one big umbrella belittles all the issues. Each one needs to be addressed separately in order to be heard and reacted to fairly.

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    1. That’s an interesting point indeed. It does seem that feminists have traditionally decided to make all the issues into one, and that was their choice at the time. There are different campaigns and organisations trying to change the laws around Rape and Equal Pay of course, so perhaps the whole thing needs to be better organised?
      Best wishes, Pete.

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  14. Hi Pete, this is a need for hour article. Even 100 years of fight where WWI & WWII ENDED but we are not liberated. Still judged, all body hormonal aliments are gifted, body shaming to couching. No men able to understand WHAT A WOMAN NEEDS. Frustrated mouths opened, burnt thoughts shredded tears but no proper responses came. 🤝

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    2. You talk about “men” which means all men, no exceptions, not just some but every man. You therefore are guilty of sexism and gender stereotyping.

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  18. Good post, Pete. It really is hard to believe that, after over 100 years, there still isn’t true equality for women, and they need to keep protesting; because we know full well, that little or nothing in the way of social progress is achieved without protest and, inevitably, some conflict.

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