For all that's been written about the passionate and courageous women who have led the march to gender equality throughout history, often overlooked are the men who have marched and continue to march on women's sides. It's easy to point fingers at and ostracize men for the injustices that many women have suffered through the years.
But that attitude would be wrong. If we were to flip the pages of history, we will also find men who have shown their support for equal rights in their own ways. Besides, what's the point of ignoring their contributions when men's involvement could prove strategic for the social movements? The world cannot move forward using only half of its resources.
So on the occasion of the upcoming International Women's Day, we list some men who had and continue to stand in solidarity with women and their rights.
Turkish men protest in mini skirts
Groups of Turkish men donned miniskirts after the death of a young woman following an alleged attempted rape was reported to have been killed after resisting attempts to violate her. Her body was discovered on a riverbed in southern Turkey, three days after she had gone missing. Her death led to protests and rallies in Turkey by women who chanted slogans like "You will never walk alone!" The men on the other hand chose to make an even bigger statement. They protested by wearing miniskirts in an effort to further the national debate about violence against women.
Walk a mile in her shoes
Hundreds of men– all in high heels – have been walking several kilometers on certain days across America. This is not only designed to grab media attention but also to raise funds as well as awareness on breaking the cycle of domestic violence. The people and organizations involve try and empower women, children and families to end domestic violence and homelessness and achieve self-sufficiency.
L. Frank Baum
More than just a beloved fable, L. Frank Baum's The Wizard of Oz is regarded as a feminist allegory that celebrates a brave little girl who draws back the curtain on a foolish and patriarchal man - one who claims to posses wizardly powers. The son-in-law of a pioneer of the Women's Suffrage Movement, Matilda Joslyn Gage, Baum integrated his other fiction with similar feminist themes, and in a newspaper essay once decried antifeminist men as ''selfish, opinionated, conceited or unjust – and perhaps all four combined.''
Dick Gregory
One of the first comedians to bring racism into his routine, activist Dick Gregory has also been an outspoken feminist throughout his career, joining the fight for the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) 35 years ago. He is no less ardent on the issue of violence against women. "If I'm a woman and I'm walking down the street naked," he once famously said, "you still don't have a right to rape me."
Matthew Vassar
When merchant and brewer Matthew Vassar founded the college that bears his name in 1861, he envisioned a "fully endowed institution for the education of women," one that would recognize the vital contributions of women to the nation's ongoing story. "The mothers of a country mold the character of its citizens, determine its institutions, and shape its destiny," Vassar once said.
Walt Whitman
Writing in the mid-19th century, Walt Whitman produced poetry and essays about gender equality that were perfectly timed for the women's movement that had just begun to erupt. His feminist voice was unmistakable: "I am the poet of the woman the same as the man," he wrote in his epic Song of Myself. "And I say it is as great to be a woman as to be a man / And I say there is nothing greater than the mother of men."
Patrick Stewart
After growing up in an abusive household where he witnessed "terrible things," Stewart realized—even as a young boy—that women under duress had nowhere to go for help. As an adult, Stewart became a patron of the national domestic violence charity, Refuge, which operates a 24-hour emergency helpline, and provides shelter, protection and legal help for women and child victims of domestic violence. He continues to speak out publicly, on behalf of Amnesty International's Stop Violence Against Women campaign.
Barrack Obama
President Barack Obama has established himself as a historic champion of women's rights. Under his administration, he has fought for legislation that addresses such vital issues as reproductive choice, Title IX, protection of equal educational opportunities, violence against women, and the fight against ovarian and breast cancer. He is also a champion for equal pay. As he put it, "Equal pay isn't an economic issue. It's about justice."
Nepali men share their views on how as male counterparts they can support women and their causes.
Sanjeev Upreti, Writer
Men especially in our country enjoy a certain position in the society. They are given some privileges simply because that they were born as boys. I feel men need to realize and appreciate this fact. Then humbly use it to everybody's advantage. Let's not be tempted by power and greed. As men in a relatively traditional society, we can use this stature to everybody's benefit. We need to investigate the structure of the society and get to the roots as to why some women are incapable of uplifting and empowering themselves. As far as abuse of women goes, we as men have to educate our sons that women are meant to be looked upon as friends, and partners. Some boys are unfortunately socialized to believe that aggression and force is acceptable. That's certainly not the case, and as men, we need to instill this wisdom in them from the beginning.
Nhyoo Bajracharya, Singer
In my experience, women are incredibly strong characters. I don't think they need a 'man' to help them with anything. In fact, there are many instances when women are the ones who are the pillars of support. So perhaps, as men, we can acknowledge this fact and help change the false perception that women are weak or incompetent in any way. Women aren't victims and the ones around our country need to believe that. If anything, as men, I think we should help our society realize this. Then rest of the issues, such as women's rights, fight against abuse, women's empowerment will be easy to tackle.
Ishan Gautam, Assistant Professor at Tribhuvan University
The best way men can help support women is by not getting in their way. We, as men, need to encourage them in every field, be it their life choices or careers. We can't let outdated customs restrict them. It all begins with education, of course. To be successful, an individual needs perspectives and knowledge. Most women in our country aren't given the opportunity to gain these important factors in life, so they suffer as a result. Thus, as men, it is our duty to advocate such necessities for women. As far as issues like domestic violence and other abuses of women go, I strongly condemn them. There's no excuse for such barbaric behavior. In these cases, I believe the men in question need to be given thorough personal counseling.
Saurav Jyoti, Jyoti Group
I personally don't believe in celebrating just one day as Women's day. More than 50% of Nepal's population comprises women, and we need to ask ourselves: How can we dream of an economically progressive society when the women are lagging behind? We have to pull them up and include them in the economic mainstream. With that aim, our company gives priority to females during the recruitment process, and comparatively, the ratio of male and female isn't that bad. Men shouldn't forget that we need to strive for an equal society. That includes supporting those caught in financial wedges. So the actions for women empowerment should be started from the grassroot level.
Basanta Regmi, Cricketer
I believe that education can do miracles when it comes to erasing the gender disparity between men and women. Men have to help women pave their way to the
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