It has been quite difficult these days, psychologically, being surrounded by uncertainties around both globally and also domestically. However, seeing this news that these two female scientists and also another female scientist win the Nobel Prize suddenly makes me joyful. I was thinking why it makes me happy just because they are women? This news is actually nothing to do with me because the only common thing between them and me is just that we are the same gender.
I don't think much about gender inequality or discrimination for a long time – in fact, I intentionally forced myself to not give too much attention to it. I often feel that by thinking much about it is making me feel more powerless and also reinforcing the problem further. The other thing is also because in our society, there are much harsher discrimination than gender discrimination – discrimination against the poor, ethnic minorities, and those from different religions is much more problematic.
However, this time, I tried to dig a little deeper why this news makes me happy, and more precisely, makes me feel empowered. I realized that regardless of advanced degrees I hold and professional achievements I have, I still have this big fear of not knowing enough. Even though I studied in a liberal arts college in the U.S. and lived in New York for several years, I still do not feel normal to work in a profession largely dominated by men, and also to find myself in most meetings and panels as an only woman or another woman. Sometimes, I even think that I was invited to balance the gender composition. So why am I still afraid? Would a man with equivalent education and experience feel the same? I certainly doubt so.
While I also completely support the traditional norms where women happily and freely choosing to be full-time mothers and housewives, the sad reality is that we still live in a world in which for women to come this far professionally is an exception, rather than the norm. My brother would be reading news about male scientists winning the Nobel or any other worldwide achievements and still feel nothing about it because it is normal.
To give perspective, what I have experienced is only a very slight hint of gender discrimination. If the slightest amount of discrimination still could make someone like me feel less empowered, I cannot imagine for those who experience systemic discrimination across our society, due to their biological or social differences. Discrimination harms our society in many ways - it essentially hinders our progress in a society since those being discriminated are not only feeling less empowered, but also being denied opportunities that could otherwise be available to them.
Imagine a society and a world where there is no discrimination of any kind. Imagine how much we can achieve and progress as humanity as a whole?
