What the App? is the place for unfiltered opinions on a gender equality learning app. Here everyone that is interested in making the world more equal is welcome to have a say. Because perspectives and opinions matter.
Equalista: What are your first thoughts when you hear “gender equality learning app”?
Müge: When I first heard about Equalista as a gender equality app, I couldn’t really imagine something solid in my mind. I had no idea what it would be like, but I certainly was curious and excited about the idea. After I looked into it, I learned that it is actually designed to be a gender equality learning app that sounded more concrete and imaginable. It turns out it will be an app that aims to educate people on gender equality by combining education with entertainment, i.e. teaching users through games, quizzes etc. Almost like a language learning app, but in this case, you will learn about gender quality. Sounds interesting!
Equalista: Why do you think that a mobile learning app could be helpful?
Müge: Well, considering that we haven’t grown up being educated on gender equality except for our own attempts to become informed, any educational material would help! Especially if it’s on our smartphones that we keep around at all times, addictively. Also, I wouldn’t claim that an app would undo gender inequality completely, but even the smallest contributions count.
I have engaged in feminism and become more aware of the systemic inequality in the world since I started college. As I thought more about gender issues I came to the realization that it would lift the burden for feminists if education on gender was obligatory for people from a young age. I am sure there are so many tired feminists out there, like me, who have attempted to explain why feminism is important. There are also those who try to explain why we should make an effort – no matter how much it takes – to learn about systemic inequality, and act out to eliminate it. Now, we can easily refer to this app when we don’t have the energy to “educate” people on gender equality on so many levels (which is not our job in the first place anyway).
Also, today it is mostly those who suffer from gender inequality who try to read more about it and educate themselves. Those who think they are not affected by gender inequality or those who believe they don’t engage in sexist behavior may actually reinforce sexism without noticing. A male CEO who fully implements gender equality in his company policy may mansplain to his female colleague or expect his wife to take over all the chores at home. Or a woman might judge her best friend because she doesn’t want to ever have a kid.
These are the traps we can easily fall into and this app informs people about these kinds of daily practices that seem innocent but are inherently sexist. Hence, they harm people no matter what their gender is. That’s why I believe this app could be eye-opening for some people who mean well but still practice some behaviors that potentially contribute to systemic gender inequality.
Equalista: Do you see any potential risks or have worries about a gender equality learning app?
Müge: I genuinely think that any initiative that aims to help gender equality counts as a fair attempt. I don’t see any huge risk in that. However, feminism and gender issues are dynamic. They change over time. Therefore, in my humble opinion, Equalista should keep itself up to date so it doesn’t fall behind the agenda.
Müge Yerdenler
A Berlin-based language teacher and contributor for Opt Out Tools – the tech making social media a safer place – Müge is passionate about tackling hate speech online and is currently a Ph.D. student of Linguistics.
Müge Yerdenler
A Berlin-based language teacher and contributor for Opt Out Tools – the tech making social media a safer place – Müge is passionate about tackling hate speech online and is currently a Ph.D. student of Linguistics.