Even though Women’s History Month ended recently, March serves as an opportunity to reflect on the progress women have made throughout the years. Still, it can also emphasize the ongoing fight for gender equality.

Some female students were recently asked to share their experiences at San Diego State University.

Manasvi Dotiyal is a graphic design major and feminist peer educator at the SDSU Women’s Resource Center.

When asked if she feels women have the same opportunities as men at SDSU, she said she would like to see more opportunities for women in her major.

“I think I would like to see many more opportunities for women in the art field. My field in particular, is very male-dominated, so it’s hard to see female representation,” Dotiyal said. “I would love to see more events and workshops dedicated to women in the art industry.”

Safety on and off campus can also be a major concern for many female students.

Dotiyal works at the freshman dorm Huaxyacac and has seen women deal with a variety of safety concerns, such as being drugged or taken advantage of.

“There was this instance when a female resident came to the building and was roofied, and I see and hear a lot of cases where that occurs,” Dotiyal said.

Carmen Penaloza Valdez is a psychology major and works as a women’s and gender equity mentor at the Women’s Resource Center. She wishes there was more support for women in male-dominated fields.

“I feel like there isn’t much talk about how to take care of yourself when you’re a woman running for executive positions in clubs. I feel like we don’t talk about the mentality that goes behind it,” Valdez said.

Although the Women’s Resource Center is designed to serve and provide resources for women, not everyone knows enough about the center to utilize its resources.

Ashley Ries, a public health major at SDSU, said, “I would like to see the university broaden the outreach of the Women’s Resource Center because a lot of people know it exists, but they don’t know the resources they have or even where it is on campus.”

Some women are uncomfortable with SDSU being a public and open campus for anyone to enter. They worry that the lack of restricted access jeopardizes their safety.

“With SDSU being an open campus, I don’t think that helps with safety, especially because women are more vulnerable and targeted than men,” Ries said.

Lauren Little, a psychology major, said, “I feel scared to walk alone on campus at night, and I wouldn’t choose to do it.”

SDSU has a Safe Ride program through which students can request a shuttle to different locations on campus. The program runs on weekdays from 7 p.m. to midnight.

Little said she was aware of the program’s existence but felt the university needed to promote it better.

“I’ve heard of the app, but I still have no idea how exactly one would go about requesting a safe ride,” Little said.

As a female SDSU student, what concerns you most?

Top photo credit: Natali Gonzalez