When I can walk the streets without fear of attack down a non-scary street,
when someone listens to me in a meeting even though I'm not cursing, yelling or otherwise bullying,
when I'm given the benefit of the doubt that I know what I'm talking about when I take my car in
when I'm seen as advancement material, even though I'm child bearing age,
when the man I've been seeing for a year (and knows darn well I like to work) doesn't assume that I aspire to stay-at-home-mom-dom
When they stop trying to legislate my uterus, and insurance covers it for no other reason, than it is integral to my health and a part of my body
When men can show emotions other than anger, greed and lust and still be considered men
When men aren't praised for taking care of their own children, it is just expected and accepted as an every day occurance, not 'baby sitting'
When health care/drug trials include female subjects so they can actually predict how they'll work on us
When I angry cry no one calls me overly emotional (like a man yelling and getting red in the face is level headed)
When my personality and my brains count more than my bra and jean size
When men don't feel the need to compete for macho (seriously, who gave them the idea that some beefcake alpha idiot is the ideal?)
When everyone is considered a human being deserving of consideration and dignity, and gender is a secondary characteristic.

And I actually find it odd that this post was under the heading Silly, Random & Fun. Because none of those adjectives strike me when I think of female equity. Sorry, you asked! ?

Equality is different than equity. We don't have equity. When our society stops talking about the importance of children and families and start putting their $ where their mouths are, we'll get closer to equity. We need paid maternity leave FOR A YEAR. State funded daycare/early childhood education. Higher teacher pay (80% of teachers are women-roughly). Did you know that when men started to join the profession pay went up? Imagine. In fact, studies show that when women enter predominantly male jobs average pay drops? Sigh, just getting started.

You're asking this after seeing Kavanaugh getting supported and confirmed?

No. What is holding us back is white male patriarchy. Unfortunately, it isn't just white males perpetuating the societal belief that men are superior to women. It is ingrained in our society and taught from infancy that women help men and men naturally have power.

Gender equality? You are joking, yes?

Thank you for asking this. It shows you've noticed -- and it's much harder for people with privilege to see it than those without. We have a long way to go in terms of equity AND equality. Women really are not considered real human beings by too many people in this country. The Kavanaugh debacle was an example. Setting aside the entire issue of sexual assault, any woman who behaved that way in a job interview would be dropped from contention for any job and joked and laughed about. In this case they joked about the woman whose life is being shattered by the jokes, laughter, threats, etc.
I think it all comes down to the misperception that allowing women any power means that men lose -- in other words what is known as a zero sum game. The only people who see that are, again, the ones who feel they stand to lose power and privilege. I am about to turn 70 years old and while I've seen some small advances, they have been hard won and almost immediately there is a backlash. One step forward and two steps back. We need more men who recognize that this is really an issue and are interested in helping.

The issue is equity, not equality.

As you can see the USA ranks 49th and Canada ranks 16th. Still have a long way to go. Understanding the topic first from an economic, political, and historical standpoint helps. Most people seem to think because their personal lives are going okay that gender equality has been achieved. That is false and they are wrong. [undispatch.com]

From a sociological standpoint gender equality has not been achieved anywhere in the world, though the nordic countries are pretty damn close. Do not take my word for it. [un.org]

I'm not female.. sorry.. but one of the things I think holding it back is the younger generation of females who seem to actually believe it's not needed are necessary.. MULTIPLE times I have had young ladies tell me they are against feminism! Wtf??...
Think about it.. a white aged cis male arguing with a young female on the importance of feminism.. it just boggles my mind everytime ..

Gonna read the comments first before replying (even though I just realized it said "female friends" lol )

No. Women do not get paid as much as men in most jobs. But for me. I don't think there will be equality for my generation just by virtue of upbringing. I've been conditioned to believe my position in society is equal to Marian Cunningham. How can I erase this? I've never been a housewife. But I still see this as happy days.
I don't think men and women will ever be equal. After all, men do not give birth.

Now, let's look at healthcare. Did you know that women receive substandard health care? Break it down by race and it's mind blowing. Black women have it awful, especially in the birthing department. I can't remember the exact statistic, but they have way more complications than their white female counterparts.

Honestly, since women have a slight majority, I'm beginning to think women are their own worst enemies. That is my thought of late, that too many women are complicit in buying "the lie" that is right wing propaganda..in essence enabling our own subjugation.

I don't even know how to answer this. It's too big. In what areas do we still need to improve women's equality? ALL OF THEM?

Right-wing governments always repress the rights of women. Capitalist power structures thus hold women back.

I read this, and started to laugh, then burst into tears......

There is so much wrong with gender equality still. How is it fair that women get lower car insurance just because we were born with vaginas? Or the fact that once you get married your insurance drops as well for men. Somehow adding a woman to the mix changes someones driving ability? Or why do men get shorter paternity leave than women? I get women usually are the ones who carry a baby or stay with the baby but a fathers connection to his kid is just as important as a moms.

Or their is the issue that I am always taken for granted or looked over. When I was a supervisor at Starbucks and people needed to speak to who was in charge, they automatically asked for any of male coworkers working and treat me like Im dirt. Even when I would say I was in charge, they’d just want someone above me then because I wasn’t capable enough to deal with what they need though I am very capable.

I think a lot of the issues we have is that people don’t see a problem. Most don’t believe there is a gap. Or they don’t see the vast differences in how women are treated in comparison to men. The absolute worse part is how other women are I think the biggest reason for being stuck and not being able to progress. My best friend just quit her job because her female boss gave a position that was already below her to take to her brand new male coworker. They choice him because he seemed more authoritive because he was a male. They also gave it to him with zero experience managing when my friend has 10 years under her belt and killer references and she waa running circles around this dude. Yet they chose him because he “looks the part.” When we as women can’t even support each other and have each others backs, how can we expect men to help us fight back?

No way. I think too many men in power fear being a minority. They know how they think about and treat women and marginalized people and don’t want the tables turned and to be treated that way themselves.

I do think more men who are ally’s are speaking up though. I also see young people fired up and voting. This gives me hope

No. Other women.

It takes strength to walk an untrodden path and fully utilize our equality. In order to be equal, with a man, I had to divorce my husband because he wanted kids. This was the only way I could have a full time job and not be financially burdened with kids I did not want. Am I an oddity in society? Yeah. Do I let it hold me back? Hell, no. I have a full time job and a side job. I can decide that I want to go anywhere in the world at the drop of a hat. Nobody tells me what to wear, who I can be friends with, nor what I can spend my money on. Am I saying this path is right for every female? No. Maybe freedom is equality.