11 ways to Dismantle Internalized Misogyny

Dismantling internalized misogyny involves acknowledging, challenging, & unlearning deeply ingrained beliefs & attitudes about women that have been internalized as a result of societal conditioning & cultural norms. These behaviours & attitudes are reenacted subconsciously until we bring them to the conscious mind to be healed & integrated.

1. Recognize & acknowledge internalized misogyny: Start by becoming aware of the ways in which you may hold biased or negative beliefs about other women, femininity, feminine energy & gender roles. Reflect on your thoughts, attitudes & behaviours towards women & notice any patterns of internalized misogyny that may be present (Hatred, jealousy, competition, mistrust).

2. Educate yourself: Educate yourself about the historical & cultural roots of misogyny & its impact on women's lives. Read books, articles, & essays written by women & engage in conversations with others who share your commitment to challenging & dismantling misogyny.

3. Challenge sexist language & behaviour: Challenge sexist language, jokes, & behaviours that reinforce stereotypes & perpetuate gender-based discrimination. Speak up against sexism & misogyny when you encounter it, whether it's in casual conversations, social media interactions, or work settings.

4. Listen to women's voices: Listen to & amplify the voices of women, particularly those from marginalized & underrepresented communities, who have been most impacted by misogyny & gender-based oppression. Seek out diverse perspectives & experiences & learn from women's lived experiences & perspectives.

5. Challenge beauty standards & objectification: Challenge beauty standards & objectification that reduce women to their physical appearance & sex appeal. Celebrate women's diverse bodies, identities, & experiences & resist the pressure to conform to narrow & unrealistic standards of beauty & femininity. Open your mind to what it means to be a REAL women not a watered down patriarchal distortion of a women.

6. Practice empathy & allyship: Practice empathy & allyship by actively supporting & advocating for women's rights, equality & empowerment. Stand in solidarity with women in their struggles against misogyny, sexism, & gender-based violence, & use your privilege & influence to create positive change.

7. Community over competition: In modern day patriarchal society women are taught to compete with each other through socialization, media, television & music. We are taught from a very young age to compare ourselves to the other women around us. When we choose to face this shadow & uplift the other women around us by seeing them as sisters & not enemies, we are actively fighting against societal manipulation & oppression.

8. Celebrate women's achievements: Celebrate the achievements & contributions of women in your life & in your community. Take time to acknowledge & honour the accomplishments of women from diverse backgrounds & fields & uplift their voices & stories as a source of inspiration & empowerment for all women & people.

9. Cultivate self-awareness & do the shadow work: Cultivate self-awareness by examining your own attitudes, beliefs, & behaviours towards women on a regular basis. Notice when internalized misogyny arise within you & reflect on the origins & impact. Start to bring this awareness into everyday life & slowly welcome the unconscious to the conscious.

10. Use as somatic approach: When internalized misogyny surfaces notice where you feel this in your body. Observe any physical sensations & name them. Notice how it feels & if any emotions arise. Talk to this part of you & ask it questions like: How long have you been here? why are you here? are you trying to protect me? send this part of you love & acceptance & let this part of you know that it is safe. Take your time, be patient, be open, be receptive.

11. Be patient & compassionate with yourself & others: As we dismantle misogyny it’s important that we let ourselves feel, grieve & express. It’s normal to go through many different phases of integration & realization. Take your time as you process, discover & reinvent your perception of what it truly means to be a women. be patient as you go through the process of unlearning. Where you are on your journey right now is valid. Be gentle & kind to yourself & others as you educate & share ways in which we can move towards equality.