I FIND myself an advocate of women’s rights; I believe in the equality of all genders. Call me a feminist, I don’t mind the label. People would ask me, ‘why would I want to put such a stain on myself?’ or, ‘isn’t society already filled with unnecessary labels?’

Firstly, it helps me to stand out and if we look back to our history, the word ‘feminist’ is of great significance and we should be very proud of the fights and efforts those feminists before us, made. When we think about it, without the feminist movements, would women have been as progressive? Would we have ever received the right to vote? We may never know, but what we do know is that it is the very cause for women stepping out of the private sphere and into the public sphere of society.

To think, the good we’ve reaped from feminism, it would’ve had a good place within the eyes of societies, ha. I was so surprised to see people– mostly women– having a disposition of feminism. Many people believe it’ll mess up the social and cultural processes of our society, It’ll be a domination of menstrual emotional reign and we’ll have a society filled with unmannerly and misbehaved women.

My defence is simple, and it’s the statement, ‘people make culture, culture did not make people.’ Culture is a human construct, if we built it then, we can also break it down or rearrange it. Culture isn’t always a good thing in my eyes. There are cultures that restrict women’s education, mutilate the vagina of young girls to restrict pleasure and arrange child marriages of young girls to old men. To bring the conversation closer to home, we live in a country where catcalling is somewhat a norm, where violence against women as well as murder-suicides (husband killing wife and then himself) is rampant.

I blame it on our culture, our mindset, our failure to protect our women while we celebrate our ‘culture.’
Now keep in mind it is the equality of the genders. So men should also be able to have access and opportunities just as women in any given field. Men should be able to be emotional beings; how ignorant are we to laugh at men who cry? Being a man automatically means you are not allowed to feel? All in all, if you’d argue biology, I’d say equality and ‘likeness’ or ‘sameness’ is very different. If you’d argue the sexes complement each other, I’d say: what about the same-sex marriages? Don’t the partners complement each other too? It’s not about gender, it’s more about who we are as an individuals, as human beings.

SIDE NOTE: Being a feminist does not make me a man-hater, perhaps a dislike for patriarchy and its sub-systems, but never men. I say that without sarcasm because we’ll never progress with hate. Working together to build a society where we’re all included is all that should matter. It’s a shame that after all these years of evolution, we’re still fighting for superiority of genders. Also, a disclaimer to you all, is that anyone can be a feminist.

Male or female, young or old, black or white, stand up for what’s right! (I just realised that rhymes). Emma Watson said, ‘If you stand for equality, then you’re a feminist, sorry to tell you.’ I do not think we’re even close to equality. Men are still dominant making policy when it concerns women (abortion and contraceptives); women are still expected to act the role of classy housewife, we are in many ways still seen as ‘inferior.’

This month is crucial when it comes to gender. I’d ask you all to research what is the significance of November 25th, as I continue my topic on gender next week. Also, ask yourself this question that Emma also asked: ‘How can we effect change in the world, when only half of it is invited and feel welcome to participate?’