I thought I understood gender equality and then I had a daughter. I thought that men and women were basically equal except for the obvious: sports and strength. I never thought that there could be anything more to it.

Then I began to see to see the world through her eyes. I saw every strange dark shadow lurking with evil intent and I realized that I had no idea about the danger she was at risk for simply because her gender; something she couldn't control.

I didn't know just how much society put her safety on the back burner. That her attackers would probably never need a lawyer because the law makes his excuses for him. Even if I take her to self-defense classes, no matter how strong she is, she will always be perceived as a victim who was too weak to defend herself.

I thought that all a woman needed was a strong man to protect her. What she needs is equal representation and consideration from our government and society. She needs us to stop creating the monsters from her nightmares so she can feel safe knowing if something bad happens she won't be blamed, that she will get the help she needs with no backlash, and her assailant will get his comeuppance from the law. And I thought if I taught my daughter to be afraid enough of the world that danger would never find her. However, I know that all these years of not knowing, of being ignorant, only made me part of the problem. It's now time for me to be part of the solution.

I do not have a daughter. I am a daughter. I am a woman. This doesn't make anything I've said less important. It simply means that, sadly, some of you will choose to no longer listen. But if you will still lead me your ears I have something to say.

Women's issues are all peoples issues. The same gender confinement, a threat of sexual assault, and other numerous issues in our society inflict all who live here whether you choose to believe it or not. And many will say that we have come so far in regards to gender equality. I would agree that we have, but it's no reason to stop. We have very few women holding office at any level, we still blame victims of sexual assault for such innocuous things such as the length of their skirts, and we still deny women into fields that are viewed "only for men". I'm tired of living in a world where something like consent, which should be very clear, is still always debated. Yes, we have titles nine and the right to vote. But we still have so much work to do.

You can't change the cage to a lease and call that freedom.