A FEMINIST STORY
One day you’re 8 and you are cocooned in the embrace of your parents, they’re trying, desperately to keep you safe after hearing the news of another little girl being brutally raped.
You’re now 18, trying to wear what you please, but instead you a receive a look which clearly says – you’re not leaving the house like that, until finally you trudge up to your closet and look for a modest change.
You are a grown woman of 40, with your kids, trying to juggle your job with your mummy duties but instead of receiving the help you would ideally appreciate, someone casually suggests – maybe it’s high time you quit. Maybe this isn’t what your gender role is.
Feminism is the radical belief that both men and women are equal. It is a battle which is fought by every woman each time she tries to take a stand for herself. It is the hope that is imbibed in the mindset of oppressed women that someday they will receive their rightful freedom of choice. It is supporting a woman to become who she was meant to be, instead of gender roles imposed by the society that she is expected to fulfill.
We raise our voices to fight for the women who are treated unfairly, we shout so that people can hear that a woman is also able to do what you recognise as a “man’s job”, for she is just as strong. We advocate for women’s rights because we as women are entitled to them and no one should be allowed to take that away from us. Feminism is what comes into play when women are treated unfairly and thus require the support. The feminist movement stands for equal rights of both genders and in no way demeans or disrespects other genders.
The purpose of this movement is lost because of toxic feminism which has clouded people’s thoughts and judgements about women fighting for their rights. Toxic feminism is the belief that the female gender should be placed on a pedestal over the men which is far from what the feminist movement truly advocates for.
Feminism was originated from the time when women weren’t allowed to vote, nor were they allowed to work, and even though we have immensely evolved to become more open minded, these issues are still prevalent in many cultures, communities and mindsets. Feminists are those who strive to change these mentalities and create a space which provide EQUAL rights for both men and women. It is irresponsible and ignorant when feminism is confused with toxic feminism and people use that as a tool to rupture the work that people all across the globe are doing to support and uplift and women. The feminist movement comprises of men as well who believe that women deserve a rightful chance to prove themselves.
Having said that, it is clear that a toxic aspect of feminism exists, but that’s not gonna stop us from fighting for what’s right.
Until Muslim women are allowed to sign their own marriage contract, until a girl doesn’t have to lock away her ambitions because she has to start a family, until a woman is allowed to wear what she wants, act according to what she feels right, be her own boss; until she is accepted and rewarded for what she does, Feminism is a battle that will continue.
By Aarefa Shiraaz
