Gloria Steinem: Feminist symbol on the 'deadly' wish to govern uteruses
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Gloria Steinem: The urge to govern the uterus can frequently be deadly.
Gloria Steinem, a renowned feminist symbol, author, and magazine editor, at the age of 89, has no intention of stepping back from her lengthy career of questioning established norms.
The political activist orchestrated the Women's Action Alliance more than half a century ago.
This group was committed to combating gender discrimination, and Steinem, one of the trio who established it, emerged as the representative of the women's rights movement in America for the remainder of the 20th Century.
She embarked on her professional journey as a reporter in New York during the 1970s and later played a significant role in establishing Ms. magazine. This was among the initial publications that shifted its focus to matters concerning women beyond the challenges of domestic work and the demands of the cosmetics industry.
In her flat located in Upper East Side of Manhattan, you can find traces of a nomadic lifestyle, with mementos from various locations she's been to beautifully displayed on every area.
Nowadays, she primarily resides in New York, contented to live in her local area, she mentions.
Even now, I'm incredibly aware of how wonderful it is to be present here.
Her apartment doubles as both the main office for her charity, Gloria's Foundation, and a meeting spot for women, reporters, advocates, and community pioneers, now that she spends more time at home.
Gloria Steinem has been recognized as one of the BBC's 100 Women for the year 2023.
In the 1970s, Gloria Steinem was a leading advocate for the reproductive rights of women.
She rejoiced over the 1973 decision by the US Supreme Court in the Roe v Wade case, which acknowledged women's constitutional right to terminate a pregnancy.
Almost fifty years later, she observed the overturning of this judgment – the Supreme Court's monumental verdict in June of the previous year that terminated the universal right to abortion.
For Steinem and other advocates of pro-choice, it served as a vivid wake-up call of the urgency to continue their advocacy work, in pursuit of the changes she aspires to witness in her life.
The most straightforward and easiest alteration is that we have control over what happens to our bodies, meaning we can choose if and when we want to have children, or not have children… whatever it is concerning our physical bodies.
This is where our problems start, as we possess uteruses and there is a strong inclination to regulate them, which is a key aspect of autocratic systems. Obviously, as we have uteruses and men do not, the urge to dominate over the uterus frequently results in the most deadly kind of endeavor.
While women in the US are experiencing increased restrictions on reproductive rights, certain women in Latin America have effectively fought for legal abortion rights. Steinem, a veteran of numerous public protests, holds their resolute activism in high regard.
"She asserts that the essence of the revolution lies in speaking up, physically demonstrating our dissent, and backing other women."
The right to reproduce may be considered fundamental, perhaps even more so than the right to free speech.
Having championed various causes for fifty years, Steinem is in a special place to consider the advancements women have achieved.
She highlights that a significant advancement in the US has been the rise in the percentage of women participating in voting.
She says that other standards are closely connected to family and the everyday lives of women.
Some are extremely homely. Who is responsible for rearing the kids? Who is preparing the meals? Who is cleaning up after eating? That's vital.
"She says that while there has been some advancement, it's not sufficient."
Steinem keeps a close watch on the challenges faced by women's rights globally, including the restriction of liberties in nations such as Iran and Afghanistan.
She views the demonstrations of Iranian women, who publicly burned their hijabs and shouted "Woman, Life, Freedom" following the demise of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini under the custody of Iran's morality police, as not just a fight for personal freedom but also a kind of feminist uprising.
Steinem states that they are advocating for the concept that a woman's body should not be seen as disgraceful or limited, similar to how men's bodies are viewed. Whether they choose to label this as 'feminism' is entirely their decision.
Several individuals use phrases like 'female strength' or 'women's emancipation'. The choice is ours.
Gloria Steinem's work has consistently concentrated on the crossroads of race and gender.
During the 1970s, she collaborated extensively with African American political advocate Angela Davis.
An iconic picture showcasing Steinem and her feminist colleague, Dorothy Pitman Hughes, standing side by side raising their fists, came to symbolize the struggle for equality and social justice by women and African Americans.
Still, numerous individuals globally have accused Western feminism of lacking sufficient inclusivity.
"Most likely, that's correct," Steinem remarks.
Basically, we're confronting racial issues in our nation. Historically, we've attempted to delay actions until the group we're initiating represents the nation's diversity. Essentially, we strive to represent all women impacted by a specific problem.
'Say no to cancel culture'
Steinem reminisces about the time when flyers and appeals for action were created using a basic replication device known as a mimeograph. Now, she welcomes the chance to engage virtually, a condition facilitated by the pandemic, and to communicate with a broader audience through the internet and social media.
"She expresses her concern that the internet is not entirely fair, as not everyone has the financial means to own a computer, or the knowledge to use the technology or articulate themselves online."
Furthermore, she elaborates, "considering that men likely have greater access to technology compared to women".
Steinem also voices worries about the influence of cancel culture, particularly on younger people and those who use social media.
She informed BBC 100 Women that although she has not personally encountered it, she feels indignation for anyone who has, arguing that the right to express oneself freely is vital to all democratic societies.
We shouldn't give in to cancel culture, it equates to societal coercion functioning as suppression, and it's undoubtedly harmful, even when it's aimed at concealing prejudice. It continues to muzzle individuals.
Transformation within the household
Some individuals may contend that a significant limitation of feminism is its failure to assist men in adapting to the alterations in gender roles. However, Gloria Steinem insists that it is not the duty of women to simultaneously instigate their revolution and prepare their meals.
She asserts that it's not surprising some men oppose feminism, especially those who utilize their masculinity to assert dominance, as it doesn't serve their interests.
She thinks that transformation needs to begin from our own households.
"That's the starting point of democratic deficiency, and also the inception of the transformation that we all are capable of bringing about," she articulates.
The Steinem household and foundation are bustling with activity. She has books to autograph and meetings to participate in.
While she's in her living room's corner, at a table, autographing posters for a function, her apartment doors suddenly open and a pair of women enter.
"Being home more is just wonderful," Steinem reiterates.
She rises to accompany them to the opposite end of the room.
I transformed my lounge into a space for discussion groups. Imagine revolution as a fluid being decanted into various vessels. It morphs its shape, yet it remains the same fluid.
Footage captured by Andrew Blum. Trimmed and refined by Rachel Qureshi and Munira Mohamed.
Every year, BBC 100 Women recognizes 100 women globally who inspire and influence others. Stay updated with BBC 100 Women on Instagram and Facebook. Participate in the discussion using the hashtag #BBC100Women.
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