THE PROJECT
Women, and specifically mothers, are often invisible in social and environmental planning and policy making. In a world designed by men, for men, they sit in the shadows of men’s needs to their detriment. Women are underserved when it comes to safety in healthcare, safety in their homes, safety on the streets, safety traveling, security in their jobs, and security in old age. With this project I aim to shine a light on some of the inequalities that mothers have faced in hopes that researchers and decision makers will be more proactive about removing gender bias when making adjustments to current systems, and while planning our future.
Run the Uterus is a conceptual art piece. It was created with the goal of educating receptive participants and providing a physical outlet for them to process thoughts and emotions brought up by the topic of anti-mother planning. The interactive component gives people the opportunity to run, walk, or cycle while meditating on some of the struggles that mothers face while observing, first hand, what ways the landscape they are traversing is designed for a male user.
Participants will be provided with specific topics to focus on during each mile of the race (see below). If their minds are taken to other places more directly related to their needs, that will become part of their own meditation process.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
Participants can access the Run the Uterus map via Google Maps, or MapMyRun. The easiest way to use the map is to print it out with enough street names so that you don’t get too lost.
Once you have finished your Run the Uterus route, you can share it to Instagram with the hashtag #runtheuterusseattle2022. Additionally, you can email me a photo of your route, as I will be sharing them on this page. Participants can also share what thoughts and emotions they had during their Uterus Run.
While this run/walk/cycling event currently has no sponsorship or fundraiser associated with it, donating to a local nonprofit (of your choice) that supports the needs of women as part of this experience is highly encouraged.
TIPS
Just as every woman’s uterus is different, every runner’s Uterus Run will be different. It’s a complicated route, so in the end, the best you can do is run your own uterus.
Parts of the route are grittier than others (e.g., around Pioneer Square on 3, 4, and 5th avenues). Be alert to your surroundings. Also, I don’t know that I would recommend running/walking this after dark.
Relax, and focus on your breathing and taking in the sights. This isn’t a race, so you don’t have to push yourself.
AWARDS
The first three of each category of participants (runners, walkers, and cyclists) to complete the Run the Uterus challenge will receive a commemorative metal pin and a signed poster (See below). Awards can be picked up at the Museum of Museums (900 Boylston Ave, Seattle, WA 98104). Proof of completing the route in the form of a MapMyRun (or other fitness app) screenshot will be required to pick up an award.
Below you can find the Google map for Run the Uterus. You can also access the route on MapMyRun here: https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/4987909642
MILE-BY-MILE: TOPICS TO MEDITATE ON
Healthcare
Women receive less pain medication than men when complaining of pain, and are told more frequently by health practitioners that their pain is “psychosomatic.”¹ In the US, 1 in 6 women who were treated for childbirth reported mistreatment by their healthcare provider or the health system. The statistics are higher in women of color and those facing social, economic and health challenges.²
Careers
Discrimination against pregnant women in the hiring or review process, lack of paid time off for pregnancy, OR taking maternity leave can negatively affect women’s careers in several fields and can limit their ability to be paid or be promoted equally with men.
Old-Age Poverty
Mothers who take time off from work to be sole caregivers for children, will make less money in their lifetime than those that don’t. “Because women, and in particular women of color, have less wealth, they are more likely to experience poverty as they age.”³
Designed by Men—for Men
Due to the “default male” being used as the point of reference for research and design, women are exposed to more discomfort in their environments and serious injuries in places like cars. While female crash test dummies are rare, pregnant ones are nonexistent.
Access to Restrooms
Pregnancy greatly reduces bladder capacity and often restrooms are not available in public spaces. Lack of access to restrooms can lead to urinary-tract infections and other health and safety related issues.
Transportation
In urban planning it’s often men’s travel needs that are considered as a priority. Worldwide, women do 75% of the unpaid care work, caring for children and the elderly. This requires “trip-chaining” (often on buses or walking) via side roads rather than going to and from work on freeways. The focus of infrastructure funding should reflect those needs and focus on mobility rather than employment.
City Planning
The safety needs of mothers in neighborhoods are not often met. Some of the primary needs are good lighting, clear sight lines with limited overgrown shrubs, clear signage, welcoming places to congregate, and safe places to nurse.
Birth Control
Male-dominated institutions are still restricting a woman’s power to use family planning methods. Having family planning in place could prevent up to ¹/³ of all maternal deaths by allowing women to delay motherhood, space births, avoid unintended pregnancies, avoid unsafely performed abortions, and stop childbearing when they have reached their desired family size.⁴
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¹https://www.draliabadi.com/womens-health-blog/does-the-healthcare-system-think-helping-women-is-bad-for-business/, ²https://reproductive-health-journal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12978-019-0729-2, ³chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://justiceinaging.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Older-Women-and-Poverty.pdf, ⁴https://www.prb.org/resources/family-planning-saves-lives/#:~:text=Family%20planning%20could%20prevent%20up,reached%20their%20desired%20family%20size.