How to be an advocate
- Taylor Truong
- Apr 15, 2021
- 3 min read
By: Taylor Truong
Date: April 15, 2021
Social media has made it very easy for people to use their voices and platforms to advocate for their beliefs. This has allowed for the creation and development of movements for social equity. Reposting Instagram stories and tweets is one way of modern advocacy but how do you take this to the next level?
What does it mean to be an advocate?
In order to be an advocate, it is important to recognize what an advocate is. By definition, an advocate is someone who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause or policy. It means taking action and taking a stand for a cause you believe in. The word “publicly” might be intimidating at first but there are many forms and ways to advocate. Examples of advocacy in society include, self-advocacy, professional advocacy, individual advocacy for others, peer advocacy, community advocacy, and political advocacy. Similar to how we have different communication styles, advocacy can take on different styles as well.
Here at UW Menstruation REDefined, we are passionate about advocating for menstrual equity through education and service to others. We do so by facilitating workshops, fundraisers, and events. This is an example of community and political advocacy.
How do you get involved in advocating for menstrual equity?
There are many ways to get involved but first and foremost, it is key to stay informed on what matters to you most. This doesn’t mean you need to know every detail on the latest news on menstrual equity; however, it does mean you should do some research, follow current events, and seek opportunities as they arise. For example, research what period taxes are, learn about the lack of access to period products, or look for local news on how menstruators are affected in your community.
With all advocacy efforts, there are core groups of people and organizations that drive the movement. While advocating using your own voice and platform is powerful, working with like-minded people will only increase the power of your message. There are many organizations to get involved with. Either with campus wide organizations, like UW Menstruation REDefined, or larger organizations that advocate across the country.
Regardless of how you choose to get involved, there are many activities you can take part in. If you’re someone who is comfortable being vocal with the public, you could share your messages online and voice your opinions using social media platforms to bring attention to period equity and poverty. Destigmatizing menstruation and increasing the awareness around periods is crucial. If you’re someone who would rather get involved in a more collaborative way, you can find events (mostly virtual for now) that you can attend such as our seminars or trivia nights. Another way to get involved is to donate menstrual products to local shelters or food banks. This allows you to have a direct impact on those that need it most!
Coming together can make a huge difference. Advocating together and simply joining the conversation can do much more than a single person could ever do alone. So join us in this journey and follow us on social media (@uwmenstruationredefined) for more on menstrual equity and how you can get involved.
References:
“5 ways to be an advocate.” Chronic Disease Coalition, 16 January 2017,
“Advocacy: inclusion, empowerment and human rights.” Social Care Institute for
Excellence, October 2014, www.scie.org.uk/commissioning/inclusion
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