Represent!

How can women be represented globally? Well they are...but in a negative way. When news happens and women are in the head line it's normally because of rape, murder, kidnapping, or some other injustice. Women are nearly never held in a positive light when it comes to representation unless the topic is breast cancer survivors, or new mothers. But even then, the good news is tainted by the woman's cultural background.

Our news stations, newspapers, and magazine covers are littered with the horrors that women face on a day to day bases across the globe. I believe women could be represented MORE globally if instead of the negative the positives were highlighted. For example there is a woman, Asma Jahangir, and she has spent most of her career defending the rights of women, religious minorities, and the children of Pakistan. (www.jazbah.org/asmaj.php, 2011). She has done so much for her community, but very few people have actually heard of her and her great works. Just because the news is littered with horror stories, doesn't mean women are incapable of defending themselves, living a strong, independent life, or being a success.

Stereotypes are deeply embedded within our culture and they exist for everyone no matter the cultural background, economic status, or race they exist, but breaking them is the hard part. Generalization and the stories that come from these generalizations are what create these stereotypes and our society needs to realize that everyone despite their cultural background, economic status, or race they are all individuals and should be treated as such. Once this is accomplished then everyone, not only women, will achieve equal representation.

Women of Pakistan - Asma Jahangir. (n.d.). Jazbah Magazine - Profiles and Interviews. Retrieved March 30, 2011, from http://www.jazbah.org/asmaj.php