By definition as provided by Oxford Dictionary, “Feminism is the advocacy of women’s rights on the grounds of the equality of the sexes”. This definition explains very well what feminism actually means. Unfortunately this word is misunderstood not only by men but more by women themselves. If you would discuss about feminism to anyone, instead of rights and problems of women the conversation would be against men, this is the most common negative impact of feminism.
One more thing that is really disgusting about understanding the basic concept of feminism is that feminists want women to do what men can do. Most of the feminists say that a woman can do all that a man can do, I mean why are you giving the opposite gender so much importance? Why do you want to be like them? I mean why? You are completely an opposite gender with hundreds and thousands of qualities then why you want to compete with men??
I would try to highlight all those loopholes that reduce the actual importance of feminism.
Objectives of Feminism
To discuss more about feminism, first we should learn what are some objectives of feminism.
- Giving women the rights to get education.
- To stop human trafficking out of which 80% are females and children.
- Preventing women from domestic violence.
- To stop sexualizing female bodies.
- Giving them equal economical, social, political and personal rights.
- To discourage sexual harassment and rape.
- Ending up pay differences.
Fight for right: not for gender
One of the major misunderstandings about feminism is that it’s a fight against a gender but actually it’s a fight of equal rights. There are many cultural forces which lead men to oppress women, it shows difference between rights of women and men. So the feminists are fighting against such rules everywhere.
Women are half of the population of the world, not giving them equal rights means not taking benefits of half of the strength. Feminists who raise voice for equal rights of women are in favour of men actually. If women will get equal rights then they would give better out put, they would ultimately share burdens of men.
There should be equality of the sexes economically, socially, politically and personally but this concept is often misunderstood. Mainly the notion that gender inequality no more exists in society, should be disproved. It is an undeniable fact that women are equal to men in position, power and influence.
Focus on men’s mental health not on violence
Domestic abuse or any kind of violence on women is always highlighted by feminists. But no one really put an effort to raise a voice about mental illness or training of men. If men would be treated as victim of depression or for other mental illness then it would be much easy to find solution for violence on women. We should nip the evil from roots.
Focusing on feminism does not mean that we neglect men’s problems. Men are tragically bad in expressing their emotions, feelings or problems so they use women as an easy object to relief their frustrations. At this point one should find way to make men comfortable to talk about their failures and problems instead of hiding them. Men’s counselling is much more important than women’s.
I don’t think so if they can ever be changed; this thought about men’s behaviour needs to be changed first. One who is in favour of feminism should mainly tackle this concept carefully. Helping men to become gentle and nice with ladies can reduce or even stop women’s violence.
It’s time to think what feminism has done
The Waves of Feminism
Feminism is divided or described in three waves according to its demands and issues.
First Wave
Feminists campaigned for women’s right to vote. Almost half of the population was not able to cast vote at that time. There are still many countries or areas where women are not allowed to cast vote.
Second wave
This was fight for the right for equal pay, the right to live free from both physical and sexual violence and reproductive rights.
Third wave
Third or current wave of feminism considers things like race, ethnicity and sexual identity.
Actually it’s time to think what society has done to women’s lives. Where do women stand in a society, why not they are equally impactful. Women’s are not safe even at their homes, we get to know about many cases of women’s harassment at their homes. Workplaces, markets, shopping malls or any public is not secure for women. 1 in 3 women worldwide has experienced physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. There are a number of organisations which are dealing with this issue but still this ratio is getting worse.
In many countries women are payed less than men even if they work better than them. This inequality is really unbearable. Women are more than 50 percent of the population and more than 50 percent of voters. They must receive not less than 100 percent of all opportunities.
Politically women are less influenced compared to men. You would not find equal female members in parliament. The reason is women are likely less trustworthy. Feminism is promoting women to get more political power but a lot of hard work regarding old attitude drilled in our minds is needed.
Feminism should rename as “ Educating Men”
I know it may sounds bit awkward but we should educate our men to treat women as human. It does not mean that they are not treated as humans but there should be no discrimination. If we would teach our boys to be gentle and nice and to our girls that they have no competition with boys, and they can do anything what a human can do, then society would grow in a better way.
Many feminists often assume that men are all potential rapists, have legal dominating power over women, and teas women by cat calling. But this is not true about all men, at the same time it’s not completely false. This misconception about men can be corrected only by educating men to deal with women as humans and telling women that they are humans and not less than any other human.
Suggestions
There are some helpful suggestions:
- Raise your voice; contribute in every conversation and let others know about your ideas and thoughts.
- Support people around you, always be the first to help others instead of being first to be helped.
- Identify your commitments. Speak about them, and act on them.
- Train the next generation, both boys and girls of new generation to respect each other. They should treat each others as humans without any gender discrimination.
- Human rights are women’s rights, and women’s rights are human rights. If one would understand meaning of this phrase then everything will be good.
