Women’s Issues In the Forefront as Women’s History Month Draws to a Close

What did you do during Women’s History Month? Did you learn something new about women’s issues? Did you hear the stories of women from around the world – including here in the United States – who have been victims of domestic violence, human trafficking or other issues that disproportionately affect women in the world? All month long, various news networks and television shows have focused the spotlight on the role of women in the world and the problems that affect them disproportionately. Some of it ignited heated controversy on all sides of the political spectrum, but there is no controversy at all about the fact that these issues need attention.

Raising Awareness of Women’s Issues

Much of the media spotlight has served one particular purpose – raising awareness of issues that affect women. For many people, though, the heated debates and sharp rhetoric that often accompany these highly politicized stories is not enlightening. Instead, it polarizes issues on which we should all be united. No woman should be afraid to report domestic violence, for example, but news stories and commentary that shame and blame the victim in those cases often make women living in violent relationships hesitate to come forward.

Throughout history, one method of raising awareness has always served better than any other to bring attention to an issue without polarizing it. That method is storytelling. A story puts a human face on any issue and can awaken sympathies that statistics can’t. A number has no face, no heart and no consequences. The true story of a survivor of human trafficking, on the other hand, gives those who have no experience with it a reference point and gives them a window into the world of the survivor.

One romance with a heroine who has survived domestic violence and is moving on with her life can do more to advance the cause of women’s issues than hundreds of demonstrations and boycotts. Thrillers about drug cartels and their cost in human lives touch people where they live and raise awareness in a way that is not controversial. A woman living in a violent relationship who reads a story where the heroine struggles with the reality of loving or leaving may finally find the courage to share her story with family or friends.

As this women’s history month comes to a close, think back on the stories you’ve heard from the media – the news stories and statistics – and consider which of them you’ll remember next month or next year. Then pick up a romantic thriller that takes on one of the difficult women’s issues of our times and read it. You’ll come away with a deeper understanding of how women and children dealing with these situations survive and make their way through them to come out on the other side.