PERSPECTIVES ON GENDER, HEALTH, AND HUMAN RIGHTS
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Intersectionality and feminism

1/19/2020

9 Comments

 
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Intersectionality 

To examine intersectionality matters we need to consider health and human rights by first understanding that our well-being and our health very much has components which intersect with one another. The values and concepts such as rights and privilege intersect with our very own individual right and global right. As women, there are many determining factors which impact health and human rights. The ways in which the world may impact each woman however, is not the same according to our module two reading, “what is transnational feminism?” Race, class and gender all play a critical role in a group or individuals health and human right. A certain groups belief, values and rights solely are founded by the groups interdependent systems such as social and cultural constructs.
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As mentioned in the 2.4 Module reading, “What is CEDAW?” I feel this correlates well with examining intersectionality between health and human rights. For instance, the convention provides the basic necessary equality outlining between both men and women through mandated equal opportunities in both politics and public aspects including the right to vote, equal education and employment opportunities. The concept of intersectionality intertwines with my well being such as in feminism and its social and cultural impacts. For instance, feminism could be looked upon through multiple lenses such as, sexual orientation, age, religion, gender, class and/or race. Many dimensions which could interchangeably influence ones well being and health. For example, my access to health and well-being can very much well be impacted by the forms of social stratification listed above.

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Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Feminism 

According to Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, a feminist is “a person who believes in the social, political and economic equality of the sexes.” The story she explained in her TedTalk of her grandmother was how she fought her way against societies oppression. Her grandmother going against all social views, she denied the man she was “suppose to marry” and went after the man who she “wanted to marry.” This portrayed her fighting and refusing against societies norm and claimed her right as a human. I very much well align with Adichie’s definition of being feminist. Testing my right as a woman. Being able to try to fix the problem of gender inequality and injustice rather than by entertaining the issue is how I consider myself as being a feminist. Being a woman, I’ve been tested of my competence and my physical ability just because I am a woman.

As a woman, I feel as though we are continuously doubted or questioned of our ability, whether our marks are suitable to receive the promotion within the work force, or whether we’re physically able to work through hands on construction projects. In my opinion to fully take on or consider oneself in being a feminist, one needs to become fully aware of these inequalities and injustices women face in society. As mentioned in the reading on module 2.1 “What is Transnational Feminism,” in order to embrace ones feminism, recognizing these patterns of systemic oppression is vital. 
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References

Adichie, C. N. (n.d.). Transcript of "We should all be feminists". Retrieved from https://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_ngozi_adichie_we_should_all_be_feminists/transcript?language=en
 
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/

All images are free from copyright found through search engine.

​Blog by: Raiye A.
9 Comments
Mariam ELias
1/24/2020 12:38:17 am

I just love the way you defined feminism. Since feminism has many definition, but you were able to gather all of them in one definition with just the right words. Unfortunately, we still have to fight for our rights as women till today. People still doubt us as women and question if we are able to this and that. For example, one thing I always hear people say about women is the way women drive. I was in my friend in his car and he made a very offensive comment by saying "I bet it is a woman who is driving this car in front me. You see she can't even drive. Ugh, I swear women don't know how to drive" the way he said it shook me, and then I replied "I know how to drive even better than you, look at my record and look at you record. Then come and talk about how women drive". It is frustrating to still see some men still oppress us and make fun of some thing we do.

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Aliyah Sop
1/24/2020 09:00:43 am

Hi Raiye,

I love how you were able to stress the importance of intersectionality and how that can affect someones health, because it is factual that some people receive care vs. others based on these factors. The factors that impact someone's health that reminds me of intersectionality is social determinants of health that I've learned in one of the core health studies courses. Social determinants of health are the economic and social conditions that influence individual and group differences in health status. The five commonly accepted social determinants of health are economic stability, education, social and community context, health and healthcare, and neighborhood and built environment. I think that these factors in a way intersect and can impact health outcomes. I really think that Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is an important person and really contributes to the women's rights movements, thank you for shedding light on her and the work that she does. Awesome work on your blog post, I really enjoyed it!

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Lena Angelica Camacho
1/24/2020 01:04:18 pm

Great job on your post, I think you did a wonderful job also at defining what intersectionality is and how it is used within our society. I think many have the misconception that every woman around the world faces the same challenges when it reality that isn't true like you explained. Especially in third world and underdeveloped countries I think women face a lot more hardships and also cultural is a huge factor to that plays into it as well.

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Megan Pintok
1/25/2020 01:39:56 pm

Hi Raiye!
Thank you so much for sharing your blog post. I enjoyed reading your definitions of intersectionality and examining the impacts of human and health rights of women. I am astounded by the way you expressed importance of feminism and being able to accept that label is by understanding the inequalities and discrimination women face in today's society. You made great points throughout your blog post and I really enjoyed reading it, thank you for sharing!

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Joo
1/25/2020 02:09:07 pm

I do think intersectionality is such an interesting yet not discussed much compare to how it play role in our society. Also, I loved the part when you explain "... Being able to try to fix the problem of gender inequality and injustice rather than by entertaining the issue is how I consider myself as being a feminist." I think it is very strong definition that you gather regardless of what other people discuss about feminism or feminists movement, it define how there isn't only one definition or movement that can sums up "feminist/feminism." Thank you for sharing this and I look forward for other students to post that will be related to your post!

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Jaya
1/25/2020 04:45:32 pm

Hi Raiye,

I wanted to first mention how wonderful the blog post is. I love how you incorporated quotes, examples, and pictures. I think each point you made about intersectionality between health and human rights link together. When you mentioned privileges, it made me think of how privileged I am to be able to sign up for a class that discussed Women's Human Rights on a deeper level. Having the education and knowledge to know that our world is not fair and unequal when it relates to rights is very powerful, because we can use our voices to make sure we are heard.

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Darlina Souvatdy
1/26/2020 05:13:33 pm

Hi Raiye,
I loved the module on intersectionality because I've watched Crenshaw's video in a lot of my other classes. I think you defined it well and like how you incorporated different factors such as SES, gender, education level, etc. because in my own post I also discussed these things! I also discussed in my post, just like yours, how we need to work harder because we're doubted by our abilities. I gave specific examples from my personal life on how I personally and also witnessed the opportunities lost due to multiple factors. I would also like to thank you for introducing me to Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. I love adding more powerful females into my feminist I can follow list!

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Will Shaw
1/26/2020 09:13:02 pm

Hey Raiye,
The intersectionality section of your blog post really stood out to me. Kimberle Crenshaw had a very intriguing TedTalk about intersectionality and encapsulates the importance of how intersectionality affects violence. Crenshaw addresses how “many social justice problems often overlap each other, creating multiple levels of social injustice” (TED, 2016). Feminism could also be seen through an intersectionality lens. For example, black feminism highlights the unjust oppressions that black women have to face on a daily basis that another race of women couldn't personally relate to. This is why I think that it's important to discuss and listen to one another about these tough topics to gain a better understanding of each other and how to address these issues. Thank you for sharing your blog post!

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Christine Nguyen
2/4/2020 03:53:27 pm

Hi Raiye,
Thank you for sharing your insight on the importance of intersectionality. It's interesting how it can affect how someone relieves care based on these factors. I really like how you defined intersectionality and how you incorporated different factors such as SES, gender, education level, etc.

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