Join Thembi and Zanele, founders of Bertha’s Legacy, as they dive into The Time Has Come: Why Men Must Join the Gender Equality Revolution by Michael Kaufman. This thought-provoking book explores the critical role men play in achieving gender equality and challenges societal norms for a more just world.
When it comes to gender equality, men have a huge role to play, not just as supporters, but as active participants in changing the systems and norms that keep inequality alive. This isn’t just a women’s issue; it’s something that affects all of us, and it’s going to take everyone working together to create a fairer, more balanced world.
“I thought it was a lesson for people like us as well, not just for men, in the gender equality revolution. Just because we’re women, it doesn’t mean that we necessarily understand the experiences firsthand, in fact, we don’t (understand), the people who are survivors, who have been through these traumatic experience of domestic violence or gender-based violence” - Thembi
It’s easy to assume that, as women, we automatically understand the experiences of other women—but the truth is, we don’t always. Survivors of domestic violence or gender-based violence have lived through incredibly traumatic experiences that many of us can’t fully grasp unless we’ve been through it ourselves.
That’s why listening is so important. Instead of assuming we know what’s best, we need to make space for survivors to share their stories and guide the solutions. Their voices are essential to shaping policies and programs that actually address the realities they face.
“How I consider privilege is definitely something that’s changed. I came into this with preconceived notions about what the male patriarchy was. Because this whole structure is built for white males. But then even within that patriarchal structure, there’s a power hierarchy playing into that, and everybody benefits in some form of fashion” - Zanele
Patriarchy isn’t as simple as it might seem at first. Yes, it’s a system built to benefit white men the most, but even within that structure, there’s a hierarchy of power and privilege. The truth is, privilege doesn’t just belong to one group. Many of us benefit from it in some way, even if we’re also disadvantaged by the same system.
Understanding this doesn’t make the fight against patriarchy less valid; it actually makes it stronger. When we see how privilege works at different levels, we can better understand how to address the system as a whole. It’s about being honest with ourselves and recognising not just how we’re harmed, but also how we might benefit from the same structures we want to change.
In honor of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, we’d love to hear your recommendations! Share books that inspire activism, challenge inequality, and spark change. Let’s create a reading list that empowers and educates us all.
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