Image Source: https://www.instagram.com/the_indian_feminist/
“Men are from Earth, women are from Earth. Deal with it.”
George Carlin
The F-word (Feminism) is gaining momentum like never before. In the 21st century, Feminism is no longer perceived as a weapon meant to gain publicity by branding oneself as a feminist. Despite the cosmic forces continue to join hands to translate the vision of equality into reality, the trajectory to candid genuine equality still seems like a long-distant dream. Amidst the dramatic shift in the power dynamic between men and women, diversified trailblazing women are inspiring other women across the globe by voicing their opinions revolving around all things feminism. Time has come when every single woman on this planet acknowledges her value and considers herself to be deserving of every single opportunity to pursue, accomplish and nurture her dreams.
What feminism is all about?
Feminism is about all gender equality where women have equal rights and opportunities that are available to men. From a broad perspective, feminism is all about respecting diversified women identities, experiences, strengths, knowledge and beyond aiming to empower them to realize their dreams and ambitions.
Who can be a feminist?
Anyone can be a feminist irrespective of gender as being feminist is all about advocating equality in the context of rights for all genders. Therefore, it is nowhere aligned with man-hating as often misunderstood. It is also not about women versus men and it is certainly never about renouncing femininity.
Standpoint theory
Reckoned as a feminist theoretical point of view, “Standpoint Theory” strives to dwell deeper into the whole notion of feminism by addressing global issues and culture-specific issues. They involve incest, prostitution, rape, female genital mutilation, glass ceiling practices.
Waves of Feminism
“Liberal feminism“, the first wave initiated in the 9th century seeking legal and political equality through an array of reforms within a framework comprising liberal democracy. This in turn became the foundation of socialist and then Marxist feminism revolving around the class struggle theory.
1960 proved to be a stepping stone in the waves of feminism by laying the foundation of “Radical Feminism” and hence marked as second-wave feminism. When Radical feminism joined forces with socialist and liberal feminism, it was being recognized as “Big Three” schools encircling feminist thoughts.
Charlotte Perkins Gilman became the first powerful feminist voice by writing for the Atlanta Constitution about feminism in the year 1916. A few other renowned names related to feminist movements involve Emmeline Pankhurst, Wilhelmina Drucker, Simone Veil, Louise Weiss, and more.
A utopian French Philosopher and socialist named Charles Fourier coined the term “Feminisme” in the year and since then the dynamic “F-word” has not looked back. Feminism first appeared and made its presence felt in France and the thereafter Netherlands in the year 1872.
Nevertheless, it is the fourth-wave feminism that re-sparked the interest in feminism through leveraging social media platforms. This time the focal issues were workplace harassment, street harassment, sexual assaults in campus, rape and murder of women and beyond. A few heinous crimes against women further fueled the influence of feminist movements. They involve Delhi Gang Rape 2012, Harvey Weinstein Allegations, Jimmy Savile Allegations, Isla Vista Killings 2014. A few famous feminist campaigns of the fourth wave of feminism include No More Page Three, Everday Sexism Project, #YesAllWomen, #MeToo Movement, Mattress Performance and more. While postfeminism is related to the feminist viewpoints that were initiated since 1980.
A majority of the feminist theories revolves around Discrimination, Objectification, Stereotyping, Patriarchy, Oppression and more. How women all over the world are transcending from one phase to another is intriguing starting as a feminist critique then Gynocritcism and finally gender theory.
“the_indian_feminist” is one of the most thriving attempts to smash the patriarchy. kickass Punjabi girls have gained immense fan-following through putting forward aesthetically appealing visuals dipped in unparalleled sarcasm.
“There’s something so special about a woman who dominates in a man’s world. It takes a certain grace, strength, intelligence, fearlessness, and the nerve to never take no for an answer.
Rihanna
Modern women are no longer comfortable with the notion of sacrificing their dreams for the sake of marriage, embracing motherhood and beyond. They are ambitious and know what exactly they want and for the same, they are prepared to embark on a journey full of challenges and criticism. Intriguingly, the majority of people believe that feminism is all about making women strong. Ironically, the truth is that women are already powerful and feminism is an instrumental tool in changing the perspective of the world regarding perceiving the strength of women.
“A feminist is anyone who recognizes the equality
and full humanity of women and men.”
Gloria Steinem
“A woman with a voice is, by definition, a strong woman.”
Melinda Gates
Even the sky is not the limit to what women can accomplish. Especially, leaders in heels are leaving no stone unturned in smashing all kinds of barriers while defying stereotypes. Due to the ever-growing support pouring from all parts of the world from countless communities and cults, at times, feminism is being perceived as man-hating which is a sad aspect regarding feminist movements. Fighting for the rights of women is nowhere related to man-hating and putting the same practice to an end has become a dire need of the hour.
“Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. …
It shouldn’t be that women are the exception.”
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
“I raise up my voice—not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard. … We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back.”
Malala Yousafzai
We certainly require women from all across the globe no matter working or non-working to remodel the conversation ensuring that the vivid voices of women are being heard, respected and regarded instead of discarding and shunning them. Women belonging to developed countries are leaving no stone unturned in revolutionizing the feminist movement. On the other hand, women from developing and under-developed countries have begun challenging a multitude of flawed assumptions regarding women. This unanticipated gesture by women is for sure making the majority of the men uncomfortable but undeniably coming to grips for men is inevitable in the future.
“Another world is not only possible, she is on her way.
On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing.”
Arundhati Roy
“It’s not my responsibility to be beautiful. I’m not alive for that purpose.
My existence is not about how desirable you find me.”
Warsan Shire
The entire wave of newfound feminism wave for the women belonging to developing and under-developed nations have begun creating a buzz even amidst the ever-growing challenges for them. The patriarchal societies of these nations have believed that women need a protector since time immemorial. Right from free speech to travel freedom, women from these nations have to encounter numerous struggles and challenges to embrace the feminism wave. Undeniably, even from such societies, countless examples of women continue to rise like a phoenix. They are taking the charge of their destiny into their hands while inspiring others.
“She is free in her wildness, she is a wanderess, a drop of free water. She knows nothing of borders and cares nothing for rules or customs. ‘Time’ for her isn’t something to fight against. Her life flows clean, with passion, like fresh water.”
Roman Payne
“When a man gives his opinion, he’s a man.
When a woman gives her opinion, she’s a bitch.”
Bette Davis
More and more women have begun acknowledging the power of collective strength to accomplish their long-awaited dream of authentic liberation. Moving outside of a multitude of expectations and roles is gradually becoming an essential prerequisite related to women identity. From an idea to tangible action, feminism for sure has emerged as a larger vision of an all-inclusive society. The feminist movement is sweeping across ideologies, political movements, social movements and what not to fight against widespread social inequality of the sexes.
“Feminism is the radical notion that women are human beings.”
Cheris Kramarae
“There is no gate, no lock, no bolt that you can set
upon the freedom of my mind.”
Virginia Woolf
Feminist movements continue to raise voices for women’s rights through campaigning regarding equal pay, the right to receive education, accessing genuine resources against domestic violence and sexual harassment, dressing standards, and beyond. Feminist movements in the West have played a pivotal role in initiating a range of societal changes related to women’s rights revolving around gender-neutrality, reproductive rights, right to own a property, entering into a contract and beyond. While feminist theories continue to emerge all across the globe, the entire debate related to men’s liberation has already been sparked. A few feminist movements are striving to raise awareness regarding how traditional gender roles of men are proving to be detrimental for men.
Here Have A Glance At Major Feminist Ideologies and Movements
# Anarcha-feminism
Anarcha-feminism merges feminism with anarchism with feminism and perceive patriarchy as a manifestation of spontaneous hierarchy.
# Socialist and Marxist
Socialist feminism opines that women oppression is the sheer outcome of prevalent inequality existing in domestic spheres and the workplace.
# Radical Feminism
Radical feminism believes that women can achieve freedom only by opposing the patriarchal system.
# Liberal Feminism
Liberal feminism lays stress on gender equality through legal and political reforms. It leverages the dynamic interaction between women and men aiming to transform the society instead of adopting negative means to accomplish the true goal of women liberalism.
# Black Feminism
Black feminism opines that class oppression, racism and sexism when combined act as a breeding ground for women oppression.
# Postcolonial Feminism
Postcolonial feminists opine that women oppression is an outcome of the colonial experience, mainly ethnic, class, and racial oppression.
# Anti-pornography feminist
Anti-pornography feminists address serious concerns related to women’s oppression and pornography.
# Sex-positive feminism
Sex-positive feminism addresses an array of issues revolving around freedom of women expression, women’s sexual pleasure, inclusive gender identities and beyond.
# Pro-feminism
Pro-feminism is an endeavour to lend support to feminism without compelling the supporter to be a member of a feminist movement. Pro-feminism generally refers to the men who actively support feminism and also make efforts to bridge the underlying gaps related to gender equality.
# Anti-feminism
Anti-feminism is opposite to feminism either in all or some or forms. Anti-feminism is an attempt to silence the entire academic debate revolving around feminism.
# Secular Humanism
An ethical framework, secular humanism is a candid attempt to keep any pseudoscience, unreasoned dogma, and superstition at bay.
All Things Considered
Covid has emerged as a catalyst for reshaping societal norms. Amidst the entire preparation of embracing a new normal, it is time to perceive the world from a feminist lens so that the new world must be fair for all. After all, equality in the true sense does not leave anyone behind. It is time to ensure that the entire feminist movement does not end up becoming a moment. Perhaps feminism is nothing but another side of the mirror of humanism.
“Equality is not a concept. It’s not something we should be striving for. It’s a necessity. Equality is like gravity. We need it to stand on this earth as men and women, and the misogyny that is in every culture is not a true part of the human condition. It is life out of balance, and that imbalance is sucking something out of the soul of every man and woman who’s confronted with it. We need equality. Kinda now.”
Joss Whedon
Liberal Feminist, Radical Feminist, Eco Feminist, Black Feminist ………
Share in Comments below which Feminist Are You?
Story Research Credit: @Purvanshi Jain
Thanks for sharing the valuable information keep writing good things
Thank You For Your Kind Words.
Loved this analysis! Feminism is such a wide term, ans highly misunderstood – it’s on each one of us to educate ourselves and such pieces help out greatly ?
Thank You, Anushka. I am glad you found this piece of writing informative.
hi!,I like your writing so much! percentage we keep up a
correspondence more approximately your post on AOL?
I need a specialist on this house to resolve my problem.
May be that’s you! Looking forward to see you.