If you've ever wondered what would happen if all men were removed from positions of power, a new video has your answer. Spoiler alert: It's mostly just depressing.
The video, produced by Elle UK as part of its #morewomen campaign, features a series of real photographs of people in power followed by the same photographs edited to remove all of the men. Once the men are removed from the photos, all that's left are a handful of women, a whole lot of empty chairs, and the striking realization that women aren't just underrepresented in positions of power –– they are rarely even granted a seat at the table.
Lest you suspect shenanigans, the video's premise is sound. Congress celebrated one of its most diverse assemblages in 2015 but, before you get TOO excited, that milestone meant that this year's Congress is only 80% male and 80% white. That means that 4 out of 5 members of Congress are men. Photoshop them out and you'll have only a few lonely ladies left to represent us.
Business isn't any better than the government, either. Women make up fewer than 5% of Fortune 500 CEOs and only 19% of board members. Women are also routinely shut out of executive level management, accounting for only 25% of executives. Women DO account for 45% of the S&P 500 labor force, though, so all of those male CEOs, board members, and executives are glad to have you on board –– way down at the bottom, of course.
What do you think would happen if the tables were turned and women dominated all aspects of the power dynamic? Unfortunately, you'll probably never find out. A recent study estimated that it will take 500 YEARS to reach equal gender representation alone.
On the plus side, next time you find yourself wondering how we can still be arguing about birth control, abortion, family leave, and a luxury tax on TAMPONS in 20-fucking-15, you'll have your answer –– without women to fully represent our interests from positions of power, women's voices are nothing more than a footnote in the conversation.
