Can we change the world?

[LilBB]

Today I was airing my views on the recent program about gypsy wedding. I was saying about how awful it was that these young girls are robbed of an education, my disgust at the grabbing and how the fact that the girls hoped for a husband that didn't beat them was saddening. This evolved in to us talking about other cultures that don't treat women equally. I discovered they shared some of the same views as me, although clearly weren't that bothered by it. One of them said to me 'you cant change the world so don't worry about it'. But I do worry about it so can I change it? Is there anything constructive I can do to try and change things? Not necessarily to the gypsy way of life (though that would be nice) but to womens rights/equality?

Be out and proud. Proudly identify yourself as a feminist and challenge misogyny every time you can.

Be prepared to take some flak - try to let it roll off you like water off a duck's back.

On a more practical level join a women's group that campaigns against lap dancing/helps out in a women's shelter.

Also read, read, read. Read everything you can get your hands on about women's issues, so that you have the knowledge to justify and back up your views - you will be challenged.

Of course you can't change the world single handedly, but as a group, of course things can be changed...and things have been changed. Boycotts have achieved things. Suffragettes did win women the vote. Abolitionists did manage to get slavery banned.

I'm just at the same stage you are - finding out how on earth to get on and do things. I'm in the process of connecting with some other local women to create a feminist discussion group. I'm going to start going along to a group that meets in the next town to ours. I'm trying to educate myself by reading and posting on here; reading books; listening to Women's Hour; talking and talking and talking.