In response to International Women’s Day, I thought I would shed some light on growing up a female. Sure, the first 6 or so years of life aren’t all that different to a boy’s, with the exception of girls being expected to play with Barbies, and boys with action figures, or as I like to call them ‘male barbies’. Young girls and boys lives were simple and fun where the only competition was who could run the fastest.

A woman’s life begins to get tough around the time she hits puberty: for some that may be as young as 10, others as late as 16. Generally speaking though, if a man can detect the slightest hint of womanhood from a young girl then there’s a good chance she’s going to be at least somewhat sexualised by a man.

Maybe they don’t mean to do it, maybe it really is embedded in their brain to sexualise young women, middle-aged woman, ALL women but it is evident that they are sexualising women way more than women sexualise men. This sexualisation has even escalated far more than ever before with due thanks to the Internet.

Slut-shaming and body-shaming is EVERYWHERE on the Internet. It has become a place where men rule yet again. If is a woman is proud of her body and posts a seemingly “risqué” photograph online, there is a definite guarantee that someone, somewhere will comment something negative and try to shame that woman for being body positive about herself.

Let’s take a look at Kim Kardashian’s latest Instagram scandal. She posted a revealing photograph of her body, while completely obeying Instagram’s guidelines of not showing any private parts. . Now of course, being the high-profiled celebrity that she is, she probably did expect a reaction, but props to Kimmy K because the message that she wanted to send out to the public of body positivity was greater than her fear of slander and slut shaming.

“It’s 2016. The body-shaming and slut-shaming—it’s like, enough is enough. I will not live my life dictated by the issues you have with my sexuality. You be you and let me be me.”

Kardashian’s photograph resulted in her being slut-shamed by other celebrities. Kim didn’t back down without a fight, she stood her ground and fought for what she believed in. She posted that photo for women everywhere, hoping to give them the strength to learn to love their bodies for what they are. She posted that photo for millions to see knowing that thousands would judge and hate on her, but she did it anyway and that is something inspiring.

“I feel so lucky to have grown up surrounded by strong, driven, independent women. The life lessons I’ve learned from my sisters, my mother and my grandmother, I will pass along to my daughter. I want her to be proud of who she is. I want her to be comfortable in her body. I don’t want her to grow up in a world where she is made to feel less-than for embracing everything it means to be a woman.”

It’s about time that women started lifting each other up, not putting each other down. Women should be making a concerted effort to accept all women for their own choices, instead of pinning and comparing themselves against other women. We’re already part of the fight for feminism against thousands of men, do we really need to be pitted against each other as well? We’re all on the same side ladies, and it’s a good side to be on!