By MISANDRIST F-WORD
Feminism. A word many avoid like the plague.
I was around 15 when I first heard Emma Watson make a speech about feminism in the UN. I already loved that woman because ‘Hello, she’s Hermione Granger!’ but after that speech, I respected and idolized her so much more. I was so intrigued by her words that I proclaimed myself a feminist right then and there.
I had very strong opinions on this topic and if I had to make any speeches in class or write essays then ‘feminism’ would be my first go-to topic. But then I found many friends of mine who were just repulsed by the whole thing. I was quite dispirited because of this.
Providing equal rights and opportunities for both men and women, accepting each other as equal fellow humans free from the stereotypes which limit people in accordance to their genders, isn’t that something we all need or want?
After much debates and research, I perceived and understood this issue from their viewpoint too. In the growing mainstream of social media, the definition or the ambition of feminism has really gone astray from the original. There are many so-called feminists who try to downgrade men under the pretense of feminism.
Like the sayings ‘women are better than men in everything’ or ‘The future is female’. This doesn’t advocate for equality in any way but just encourages plain narcissism and reinforces the prejudice that ‘feminism hates men.’
The whole system seems to be going round a giant wheel fighting about maintaining either a patriarchal or a matriarchal society while in reality feminism should really be aiming to break the wheel.
Feminism has come a long way starting from the women’s suffrage in 1848 to the present #Metoo movement. There have been many admirable efforts to raise awareness about women’s reproductive rights, women violence, sexual harassment, equal pay, etc over these years. The women’s standards have vastly improved in many parts of the globe.
However, the same cannot be said in the context of countries like Nepal. We hear the news of women and girls burnt alive for dowry; a new girl is victimized by sexual assault every other day; domestic violence against women has become a part of society people learn to live with. In many places of the world, women cannot even look directly in the eyes of the male; they’re treated like dirt.
However, in the ‘developed’ countries feminism has taken a u-turn. Instead of fighting for equality, they’re advocating to be called the superior sex. With this growing wave of feminism, even the rights of men are threatened or neglected. Issues like paternity fraud, domestic abuse against men, false accusations of rape, discrimination against men in family courts regarding child custody are growing at an alarming rate.
Isn’t feminism supposed to be about both men and women? What about the issues men face? Shouldn’t that be addressed too? Maybe it is because of this that men feel less included and make the assumption that feminism is just a fancy word for dominance over men.
The issues of both men and women need to be addressed and be given equal consideration. Back lashing on each other will in no way improve the present scenario. We need a collaborative movement to ensure the rights of both men and women; where both sides are equally recognized and heard. As Watson says,’ it isn’t the word that is important. It’s the ambition behind it.’
Photo by Maria_alberto from pixabay
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