Twitch Sent Women To The Kitchen For International Women’s Day, I’m So Tired

Twitch has apologised a day after announcing its International Women’s Day Overcooked 2 stream plans. Yes, really. This week, the streaming giant found itself the butt of the internet’s ridicule, with some accusing it of perpetuating sexist stereotypes. I can see the optics, but I’m not convinced, personally. Twitch has done great work in levelling the playing field and giving women a platform to stream, even if people are still really, really weird about women playing games at times. As I’m sure you’re aware, gaming is no stranger to stepping on rakes when it comes to women’s rights. I’m ancient enough to remember how the Gamergate controversy made me feel about my place in my favourite hobby, and how it only served to validate all the boys saying ‘girls don’t play games’ back in the high school playground. For years, women in gaming have weathered a relentless barrage of “go back to the kitchen” insults over voice comms. You know the trope by this point – it’s a foundational, exceptionally lazy bedrock of gaming sexism. So, when Twitch Rival’s Women’s Guild voted on a competitive cooking game to represent women’s excellence for International Women’s Day, I’m torn. On one hand
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