Why We Need Feminism?

Feminism is a much-needed thing worldwide. In simple language, feminism can be defined as a practice that takes place to provide equal rights, opportunities, and most importantly respect to both genders, male and female without discriminating against them. Many people have this misconception that feminism means hating men or males. Well, to all those people who think this way, that’s wrong and please stop ruining the term’s meaning and spreading wrong knowledge. It is Female=Male, not Female>Male.

The major reason why one needs feminism is to make women independent so that they can rule their life without anyone, society’s interference, and unwanted advice. Keeping the example simple, one can find the need for feminism in our very own Indian homes. Currently, let’s not see an example from rural areas. Have you ever wondered that why most women either in one’s family or amongst known people are into teaching or any other job which doesn’t require working 9-5? One of the main reasons which make the majority fall under this category is again the society.

As per society, a woman’s prime job is to take care of her family and look after her kids. Society believes that if a woman is working then she should be thankful to her husband and parents for letting her do a job. Because of this reason many women choose teaching as a profession, sometimes after compromising their happiness and killing their dreams. It’s not because teaching doesn’t require hard work, but because in most cases the timings are comparatively less than other jobs.

Why she has to adhere to society? Why she doesn’t fight for herself? Why she doesn’t follow her dreams? Why she has to do complete the whole housework after returning from work? Sometimes, why is she paid less as compared to her male colleagues? Why does society behave as if it is obliging her to let her work? For all these things, to support women who are under others’ pressure one needs feminism in urban India. Talking about rural India, the condition is worse there. A woman’s life there is devoted 100% to household chores. It is often thought that she can only work if her husband can’t fulfill her needs or is jobless. Also, hundreds of girls, underage girls are married forcefully and aren’t permitted to study. Why should a woman commit her whole life to the kitchen? Why her husband has her responsibility and in fact life’s control? Why she has to take permission for stuff? Why decisions about her life are made by society and parents without even asking?

For all these and other numerous reasons one needs feminism, society needs feminism. Taking examples from India doesn’t mean that feminism is only needed in our country, it’s needed worldwide. Also, it is not at all necessary that one has to be a feminist to support feminism, anyone can. One can stop judging what a woman is wearing and teaching her etiquettes from an early age. Also by making her independent and not making her believe that respect and success can only be earned if she is married. At the same time, another thing that has to be clear is that feminists are not only women but some men as well. To name few Indian male feminists: Farhan Akhtar, Suresh Raina, Anand Mahindra. Therefore, feminism is one of the most important things needed by all.

It’s not the word (feminism) that is important, it is the idea and ambition behind it –Emma Watson

By: Toshani Mehra
Delhi Public School, Greater Noida