This weekend, we mark International Women's Day — an annual event to mark the ongoing fight for the rights and safety of women all over the world. These are the issues we are currently exploring as part of our editorial series The #MeToo Legacy, in which we're interviewing creatives and activists to dissect the legacy of the #MeToo movement and whether it has made a major difference on life for women in the arts.
As part of the series, we've asked some members of the Voice Community to offer a young person's perspective on #MeToo and the lasting impact of the hashtag. They've offered their own fascinating answers to one apparently simple question: has #MeToo made a real impact?
"It's a sad day and age we live in when girls and women can't even feel safe stepping out of their homes to take a walk around the streets. Surely the workplace should be different? Surely this should be a safe haven of people with diverse skills and interests joining together to get a job done? Unfortunately, this has proved not to be the case in recent years.
But has the #MeToo movement really improved things for females at all? I believe that this movement has been influential in giving young women the courage to speak out about their experiences and have the comfort of knowing that, even though what they have suffered is diabolical, they are not alone. However, while this movement has raised awareness of the situation that women and girls are facing today, I don't believe that anything has truly changed.
How can it change until there are more serious consequences for the offenders? This movement has brought about an increased awareness of the trials that many women face around the world, but in order to see true change, we need action from everybody. Telling stories helps, but implementing physical measures is absolutely necessary to see real change."
Naomi Johnson, 17, Voice Contributor
"In all honesty, I tiptoed while writing this as a woman, and I still wonder if I could ever challenge it. The #MeToo movement is supposed to be for good change where women feel safer, respected and seen. Let’s be real though. Has that actually happened? Or are we putting a plaster on a broken leg?
#MeToo isn’t a movement any more. It’s been reduced to two words that have been thrown around too often at the wrong things, to the point where the women who actually need it, have gone back to their original fate: not believed. I imagined a world where us women could dress, work, socialise and be wherever we want at any time of the day. A world where we unapologetically embrace our power and womanhood in a world where men can’t stop us, and only support us.
But instead, all I see are cancelled Christmas songs and genuine kindness made into harassment reports. So now #MeToo isn’t a movement to protect us from sexual assault and harassment. It’s not a movement to provoke accountability to abusers with severe sentences. And it’s not a movement to encourage survivors to speak out for justice for having their rights in life taken away from them. It’s just become a two words and a trend."
Khadijah Islam, 25, Voice Contributor
"#MeToo has undoubtedly raised awareness around sexual harassment and assault, providing a platform for many women to share their experiences and to seek justice. It has sparked necessary conversations, challenged power structures, and led to tangible change in industries such as entertainment, politics and business. For example, many high-profile figures have faced accountability for their actions, and workplaces have begun to implement more robust policies to prevent harassment.
However, there is still a long way to go. Many women, especially those in less visible or more marginalised communities, continue to face barriers when it comes to reporting harassment or seeking justice. Whilst the movement has created important momentum: true cultural change will require ongoing efforts to shift mindsets, enforce laws effectively, and ensure that all women feel supported and safe in every aspect of their lives."
Elisha Pearce, Voice Contributor
"The #MeToo movement has improved awareness of the prevalence of sexual assault and harassment within Hollywood and the creative industries. The movement has brought to the forefront of discourse something that previously was an issue few dared to speak on, certainly ruining your career if you did. Battling the taboo of sexual harassment and assault as well as providing solidarity for survivors has made things better for women — even if there is much more work to be done.
While the merits of #MeToo are undeniable, such a significant movement has provided fuel for misogynists and anti-women campaigns, such as the claim that you "can’t say anything anymore" and that the movement marginalises men, or the absurd claim that feminism has gone "too far". Thus, while the issue has made things better for women and brought systemic issues within Hollywood and wider society to light by fighting the taboo around them, it has also provided another playing field for misogyny and anti-feminist rhetoric."
Eva Carolan, 18, Voice Intern
"As a man, I cannot speak on behalf of women. I could never understand what it’s like to be a woman. Women go through so much and experience a lot of things I would never experience. The #MeToo movement started in the year 2006, and it is safe to say that it has indeed helped a lot of women in the sense that it has given them the opportunity and courage to speak up on the abuse they’ve faced. They have the support of other women, especially those who have experienced the same or a relatively similar situation.
But has it made things better for women? One could say that it has but I genuinely cannot say on behalf of women. I hope it has. I hope women feel that it has made things better for them. They deserve all the love, support, and protection they can get."
George Okonkwo, 20, Voice Contributor
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