This year, social media has become many people’s way of connecting with the world – to spread awareness amid the Black Lives Matter protests, to share accurate and up-to-date information on COVID-19, and perhaps most importantly, a means of staying connected in unprecedented times. Instagram’s latest viral trend, Women Supporting Women, was founded on the basis of promoting female empowerment and positivity, and so many have already gotten on board.
The challenge is simple, post a black-and-white picture while encouraging friends to do the same using the hashtag #womensupportingwomen and #blackandwhitechallenge.
While it’s origins aren’t clear, the challenge began being spread via a DM that read: “There is a woman empowerment challenge going around on Instagram. I think you are so badass and amazing and I was careful to choose who I think will meet the challenge….but above all I chose women I know who share my values and views of the world. You are one of those women. Post a photo in black and white alone, written “challenge accepted” and mention my name. Identify 50 women to do the same, in private. I chose you because you are beautiful, strong and incredible. Let’s ❤️ each other!”
While the challenge was rooted in good intention, some social media users have asked whether posting images of women who need our support (now more so than ever) would be more beneficial in aiding female empowerment.
Others were quick to suggest, instead, women with platforms such as the celebrities above use the challenge to promote female-led businesses, as well as books, articles, products and charities that benefit women.
Podcast host Ali Segel wrote: “I think that if this ‘movement’ featured trans women or differently-abled women, or showcased female businesses or accomplishments or women in history, it would make more sense.”
By all means, use your Instagram to post a black-and-white photograph of yourself, but also consider other ways in which to use the platform to spread awareness to organisations and charities that might be struggling right now.
Female-Focused Organisations To Lend Your Support To:
The Global Women’s Project.
The Global Women’s Project was founded on the belief that every woman and girl in the world has the potential to make a change, but knows that not all of them have the same opportunities. The organisation’s sole purpose is to give women everywhere the tools and resources they need to build better lives for themselves, their families and their communities. They provide access to information, skills, resources and community.
Donate here.
Women’s Community Shelters.
Currently, existing services in Australian cannot meet the demand for crisis accommodation for women who are homeless. Women’s Community Shelters works with communities to establish new shelters, which provide short term emergency accommodation and support in a safe environment that enables homeless women to rebuild self-esteem and achieve control and fulfilment of their lives.
Donate here.
Sisters Inside.
Sisters Inside believe that no person is better than another, but that environment and life circumstances play a major role. First Nations women and girls are massively over-represented in prison due to the racism at the foundation of systems of social control, and the organisation works alongside incarcerated women, advocating for them with governments and the legal system to achieve fairer outcomes.
Donate here.
Domestic Violence Crisis Centre.
The Domestic Violence Crisis Centre is a service that seeks to reduce violence and abuse in relationships, providing crisis and long-term support services to help break the domestic and family violence cycle. They provide crisis intervention and legal advocacy as well as providing education and information.
Donate here.
SisterWorks.
Through work and entrepreneurship, SisterWorks’ mission is to support women who are refugees, asylum seekers or migrants so they can improve their confidence, mental wellbeing, sense of belonging and economic outlook. The organisation works on the vision that all migrant women are given the opportunities to become economically empowered.
Donate here.
