Women are special creatures because we are born from the womb of women. We should respect and love women as we love our mothers. However, in areas where society is damaged, women are the most often victims of violence and injustice. In any conflict, women are the biggest victims, they are tortured and raped before being killed.
In this 21st century, rapidly developing technological advances do not advance and develop human behavior. The proof is that the ancient patriarchal culture still exists and continues to strengthen. Even in my country, this patriarchal culture continues to be used for various interests, be it political, religious, or organizational interests.
Patriarchy is a heresy that has permeated the world's religions that are spread in my country. The oppression of women is justified by religious leaders and is considered God's will. (Since when did God-like to oppress?), I thought from inside. Religious leaders preach about men who are considered wiser and more entitled to regulate women's lifestyles so that the oppression experienced by women is no longer considered normal, but it is already considered sacred by certain religious groups.
Even in the world of politics, patriarchal culture also continues to spread. Women are very difficult to become leaders because it is very contrary to religion and culture. Women do not have the freedom to work in politics unless they have strong financial and political support.
Not only in the fields of religion and politics, but patriarchal culture is also widespread in the economic field. Almost all over the world, women who work tend to be paid cheaply by companies. Women continue to be marginalized in salary work, even though they have the same workload and responsibilities. Even in a company job, women will find it harder to get a promotion than men.
In my country, women are forced to work from home so that their economy is not enough to be independent. In my country, very many men have a patriarchal mentality, they scare women's bodies so that women have to cover their entire bodies from head to toe. I saw her as a walking blanket.
Every wife is obliged to serve her husband because religion and culture have justified it, so this kind of oppression has become a common thing. Even in the media, I see women who are used as objects to sell. The beauty of the body and the beauty of women are often commercialized in the media for selling materials
Because this culture of oppression has been going on for a long time, women in my country just surrender and think that this patriarchal culture is something natural and has become God's will. In the end, women also share a patriarchal mentality, they justify the oppression they experience and also participate in oppressing other women.
Understanding problems and solutions
For me, patriarchy is not something natural. This culture of oppression was created by vicious rulers so that their power and wealth will continue to be sustainable. These rulers used religion and culture to justify the oppression. That's why capitalism is very close to this patriarchal culture because capitalism wants to increase wealth by any means, including oppression and violence. In this case, women are the biggest victims of global capitalism.
As we know that men have money and power. To maintain their money and power, patriarchal ideologies, racism, and global capitalism were created. Even religious leaders and intellectuals are bribed by global capitalism to perpetuate this kind of injustice.
As for the way out that can be done to eliminate this oppression, is our sensitivity to the patriarchal mindset in the field of our lives. In terms of work, we must continue to learn to be sensitive to oppression and injustice, as well as to our families.
We also have to do a deep reflection on ourselves. Try to ask yourself, Are we including people with a patriarchal mentality? Are we oppressing women for personal gain? do we have a religion and culture that justifies the oppression of women?
We must dare to be critical, we must dare to resist all forms of oppression. Speak up when you see the oppression of women. Dare to criticize yourself and also our community, whether at work, family, even religion and culture. Do not let oppression continue to live on against women, let alone participate in oppression just because they get profit. that's disgusting guys.
If necessary, participate in organizations that exploit and protect women's rights or human rights as a whole. Because 'Noam Chomsky' once wrote about the law of social change in his book, "Social change can only be born from social movements. Social movements can only be born from organizations with noble missions that refuse to remain silent in the face of oppression."
The fight against oppression and patriarchy must involve many parties. Religious groups and political parties must participate in the fight against oppression and resistance. By working with many parties, the fight against oppression and patriarchy will surely prevail and peace will continue to be with us. In the 21st century like this, the perverted patriarchal culture must be destroyed. This misguided culture should be a study of dark history because this patriarchal culture must disappear from our mindset and social system.