September 1, 2022

Celebrating International Women’s Day: Emma Hewitt

March 8th is International Women’s Day. Here we talk to Sex Educator with Adulttoymegastore and host of sexual wellness podcast, The Electric Rodeo, Emma Hewitt about her thoughts on the global celebration and if it’s actually useful to women.

What does InternationalInternational Women's Day mean to you?

It’s a time to reflect on the sacrifices and courage of those before us that have fueled progress for women around the world for decades. The best way we can honour them is to keep fighting for equality and working to create better futures for the next generations.  

It’s also a nice reminder that the women I know and admire are bad-ass and amazing and I am lucky to know them.

What do youyou believe can be done to address gender stereotypes?

More conversations, more discussions, more opportunities. People can be so hesitant to have these conversations because it makes them uncomfortable. Whether that’s discomfort in advocating for yourself or bristling up as someone suggests a new approach to how you may be personally interacting with or advancing that stereotype.

It’s ok to be wrong and it’s ok to change your opinion as you learn more. The more we can all learn to do this, the better off we will be.

What progress havehave you seen on gender equality in your life and work?

I think the sex toy industry is a really interesting case study on what an industry looks like when women take charge.

The first 40 or so years of this industry, store owners were men, designers were men, manufacturers were men. And the toys available really exemplified this, especially those designed for women. There were lots of phallic dildos made from sketchy materials that were somehow meant to satisfy us, although so many of us need clitoral stimulation to orgasm. But there were barely any clitoral toys in sight!

Seeing the rise of women designers, manufacturers and store owners in the last few years has completely changed this industry. Its pleasure focused (with toys that actually work for our bodies), the toys are made with safe materials and have body-safe designs. The whole industry is also much more focused on overall wellness, and this allows female sexuality and sex toys to be much more talked about in the public sphere and mainstream media. This is the impact that creating space for women can have and it's beautiful to watch.

What’s your InternationalInternational Women’s Day message?

I’m going to be a little cheeky here and share a quote that I love from G.D. Anderson as it is much more articulate than any message, I could create myself.

“Feminism isn’t about making women strong. Women are already strong. It’s about changing the way the world perceives that strength.”

What will youyou be doing to celebrate IWD?

Complimenting my beautiful friends on social media and telling them I think they are simply the best like I do every other year!

But I’ll also be taking the time to think about who my heroes are and thanking them. This is something that Adrienne Marie Brown laid out in her fantastic book Pleasure Activism. To take the time to think about who the heroes are in different parts of your life and reach out to them to say thanks. They could be sexual heroes, professional heroes or anyone that has inspired some part of your life.

What are thethe most effective ways to counteract the negative stereotypes of feminism, especially in the workplace?

The historical associations with “man-hating”, lesbianism and a lack of femininity, can all be counteracted by being ourselves and expressing who we are proudly. Feminists do not all act and look the same and that’s the point. It’s about equality and freedom to do what we decide is right for us. Whilst creating space for, and the ability for, other women to do the same. It requires an intersectional approach that takes into account different social and political identities too.

What does itit mean for you to be a woman leading the sexual wellness space?

To do something I absolutely adore with the knowledge that my work can help to make someone feel more comfortable in their sexuality or to experience more sexual pleasure is a dream to me.

Sex and pleasure are so important for us. They are good for us physically and emotionally and the growth of the sexual wellness industry means that people are truly starting to understand and accept this.

Helping someone to work through sexual shame or to learn to better communicate with their partner brings me such joy. I love meeting and communicating with other women in this field. It feels like a powerful and sacred space and I am privileged to be part of it.

Share aa women’s empowerment moment that inspired you?

Oh, there are so many, it’s impossible to choose! For me, it’s as simple as the impact of TV shows like Fleabag and I May Destroy You becoming so popular and feeling like your emotions are normal and that you aren’t alone. The impact of a book like “Come as You Are” by Emily Nagoski on female sexual function and realising that your body isn’t broken, it was just badly researched. There is so much learning to do still and I look forward to more inspirational leaders and educators and moments for women