W1: "The World I Want to Live In"

 The World I Want to Live In

Figure 1: AI-generated image of safe spaces for women in city life and schools

     The world I want to live in is peaceful, not just because there is no war, but because everyone feels safe and respected. In this world, people are not judged by their gender, race, how they look and what they wear.

     As a woman, I want to feel free to walk to the store or take public transport without constantly looking over my shoulder. I want to feel safe being alone in public space, even at night, without fear of being catcalled, followed or judged for what I wear.

    But safety is just the beginning. This world is also equal. Women are not told to stay quiet or to act more polite. When I work hard, I am given the same recognition and pay as my male colleagues. Leadership is not seen as a man’s role, everyone is encouraged to lead, no matter their gender.

  

    In this world, justice is being taken seriously. When a woman is treated unfairly, experiences violence or sexual harassment, people do not stay silent or blame her. They listen and take action. Women who wear hijabs are respected and not told to remove them to “look better”. Dark-skinned women are not called “less pretty”. People do not make assumptions based on how someone looks. 

    There are also strong laws. Discrimination, harassment and violence are not tolerated. Women receive the same opportunities as men. Most importantly, the laws apply equally to everyone. 

    Many people believe that only those in power are responsible for justice, equality and harmony. But I believe everyone has a role to play. Teachers can teach the importance of equality and respect. If students grow up and become workers, they will know how to speak up if someone at work is treated unfairly. A bystander can also stop harassment instead of staying silent. Small actions like these can make a big difference.

Why it matters?

    This world matters to me because the one we live in now is far from peaceful, just and inclusive, especially for women. 

      

      According to World Health Organization (2021), 1 in 3 women, around 736 million, have experienced physical or sexual violence by their partner or non-partner. In Malaysia, a study shows that between 35% and 53% of working women have experienced some form of sexual harassment at work (Khindria, 2024). Many cases go unreported because women are afraid they will not be believed or supported. Even when some reports are made, it may be handled carelessly and closed without proper investigation, leaving the victims without justice. 

     Even though more women are becoming leaders in today’s society, a strong culture of distrust toward female leaders still exists. According to Ro (2021), research shows that even in countries with long histories of women in leadership, like Germany and India, many people are still uncomfortable with the idea of women being in charge, and female leaders often face sexist comments even when they succeed. This shows that true gender equality has not yet been achieved because no matter how capable or successful a woman is, she is often being judged harshly. 

    Furthermore, I have seen many examples online that show how women are judged more harshly based on their appearance. For instance, I once came across a post where a dark-skinned Malaysian girl shared a selfie, and people left comments recommending her to use whitening products. While skin colour bias can affect anyone, women often face stronger pressure to look a certain way. Reading these comments made me feel really uncomfortable, because no one should be made to feel ashamed of how they look or who they are.

What stops this world from becoming a reality today?

    Sadly, many things stop this world from becoming real. 

    One reason is the lack of education about gender equality. Many students grow up without learning how to respect others. As a result, they may not understand what sexism is or why certain jokes and comments are inappropriate. Without early awareness, harmful attitudes continue into adulthood.

    Besides, many people still hold on to old-fashioned beliefs about gender. Some think women should always be polite, quiet or stay at home, while men are seen as stronger and better leaders. These ideas limit what women can do and how they are treated in daily life.

    Lastly, some people stay silent because they fear the consequences of speaking up. For example, when someone reports harassment in a company, they may risk losing their job. This fear makes it harder for people to stand up for what is right, allowing injustice to continue. As a result, problems like harassment or discrimination continue.

    If these problems are not solved, they will start to affect our daily lives. More women may feel unsafe walking outside, speaking up at work or taking public transport. Girls may grow up thinking they are less important or their voices do not matter.

References

Khindria, P. (2024, May 13). Sexual harassment in the workplace - Malaysia. Wolters Kluwer. https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en-my/expert-insights/sexual-harassment-in-the-workplace-malaysia 

World Health Organization (2021, March 9). Devastatingly pervasive: 1 in 3 women globally experience violence. Devastatingly Pervasive: 1 in 3 Women Globally Experience Violence. https://www.who.int/news/item/09-03-2021-devastatingly-pervasive-1-in-3-women-globally-experience-violence 

Ro, C. (2021, January 19). Why do we still distrust women leaders? https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210108-why-do-we-still-distrust-women-leaders