We are currently in a period where gender equality is a hot topic. From Beyonce’s VMA performance with the famous “FEMINIST” lights to Lena Dunham’s ground breaking TV show “Girls”, we are definitely experiencing a new empowerment for women everywhere. All across the country people are spreading awareness about the wage gap, sexism in the work place, breaking gender stereotypes, and a true understanding of what it means to be a feminist. If you’re someone like me, this is extremely exciting! I believe that we all deserve equal rights as humans. However, fighting for these rights is a battle specific to a certain race and class; these issues address the fight for equal rights, but some women are still fighting for liberation. By liberation, I mean there are women who are ultra-oppressed. They are not fighting for rights to equal pay, but rights for the ability to work outside of their domestic duties at home in general. Some women are fighting for reproductive rights to abortion or birth control, while other women are fighting the entire system of sex slavery. Some fight to break the gender roles in their marriages, when others might not even have a choice in who they get to marry. Some gender equality issues are on a completely different playing field than others depending on who you are and where you are in the world. No matter the issue, it is important for us to support and advocate for women everywhere.

Over winter break, I spent a month volunteering at a girl’s orphanage in Peru. I was working with girls who had either run away from home, been abandoned or abused by their families, or were found working illegal jobs on the streets. The girls were between the ages of 12-18, I was 19 at the time- and I cannot deny these girls taught me much more than I was able to teach them. All of the girls constantly exceeded my expectations with their wittiness, kindness, and the ability to cope with the situations they were going through. To my surprise, every day the girls found something to laugh and smile about. They found comfort in the volunteers and their “mamis” (the women who owned the orphanage). These girls were intelligent, whole-hearted, and had potential to be extremely successful- potential that goes idle because of the lack of opportunity they experience.

Once the girls turn 18, they are let go from the orphanage. A lot of them have no where to go, no family to turn to, no income, and no education. These amazing girls are left alone and without support. It is easy for them to be taken advantage of because they are in desperate measures. Another problem is they have no form of sex education, they are extremely susceptible to getting pregnant or a sexually transmitted disease when they are already in unsteady conditions. These girls are in a vulnerable position where they might end up trusting men to be their gateway to freedom or money. When it comes to job opportunities, there are not many options for women in poverty- leading to more illegal behavior. This is a vicious cycle; and it is a battle each girl has fought since a young age. Not only have the girls been neglected, but they fight for their basic needs every single day, alone. What amazes me most is even though the odds are not in their favor, every girl in that orphanage exuded a level of confidence that I have never come close to reaching. Each girl knew just how much they had been through and the strength it gave them. They knew that this was a struggle they would be fighting their entire lives, and yet they all maintained a boundless sense of hopefulness.

And why shouldn’t they? It’s true, changing the system is not easy; it is a slow and difficult process to achieve the equality we deserve. However, I do believe change is possible and I believe it starts with awareness. Pay attention. Listen. Speak up. Get involved. There is constant global news about movements to help women everywhere. These movements are a call to action that we can all participate in. Equality is important, and liberation is a necessity. Some of these women are not even being treated as humans, solely because of their gender. If you cannot take action, at least try to share and educate others on these issues. We can all take part in advocating for gender equality everywhere.