Dying to be a Feminist

Dear Readers,

I’ve had this itch for the last few days about one of the touchiest issues in the western world. An issue that is being tip-toed around because of how people react to just one word. A word that carries such negative connotation and shouldn’t. A word that means one thing in Ireland and a totally different thing in countries such as Saudi Arabia. Yes, the word I am talking about is feminism.

Before you start whipping out your “I’m not a feminist” t-shirts, sit down and have a read. I have spent the last two days asking a variety of people what “feminism” is to them. A simple question seemingly, however the majority of responses start out immediately defensive. That’s right, defensive. I ask, why? People begin sweating when they’re asked whether or not they’re feminists and decide hastily that no, they’re not feminists, they just believe we should be gender-equal.

Great. That’s a fantastic response. Gender equality is the long sought after goal of most countries and people.

I want to stop you here. Are you aware that the definition of feminism according to the Oxford English Dictionary is “The advocacy of women’s rights on the ground of the equality of the sexes.” Now, are you telling me that you’re not a feminist? That’s what feminism is; it is the fight for the equality of genders. So, why are we all running around claiming we’re not feminists? Why are we dancing around this word?

I think feminism is a beautiful word. It is filled with the history of strong women who were willing to put their lives on the line for women’s rights to be equal to those of men. It is filled with the women who still today continue to fight for women’s rights in disadvantaged countries. Just because we may not have to deal with as much gender inequality in the western world doesn’t mean feminism can no longer exist. I’ll be damned if I don’t support and admire all of the women and men alike fighting for rights in countries such as Saudi Arabia and (what was noted as the worst country for gender equality in 2014) Yemen.

The Gender Pay Gap in Ireland stood just below 14% in 2013. That’s women being paid 86% of what men with similar characteristics, family situations, work hours, and work experience were being paid. This is all in spite of the fact that more women than men are attending University and are achieving higher grades. This is an infringement of a human right. This is a human right that feminists work towards fixing. We have come a long way in Ireland over the years and that cannot be overlooked. We have feminists to thank for that.

Feminists. Not men-hating uneducated women. These are not feminists. They are misinformed people with access to all the wrong parts of the internet. They are the people who have caused others to turn defensive when asked if they’re feminists. Please, refrain from associating this behaviour with feminism. Achieving equal rights as women is not possible by putting down men. Yes, it is unfortunate that in history men were dominant but, times are changing and more men than ever are signing up as feminists.

Feminism through the years has brought with it some new associations. I would like to tell you that none of the following diminish your right to be a feminist:
1) Wanting to look nice for a guy.
2) Being sexy.
3) Liking so-called “girly” colours.
4) Letting a guy be gentlemanly.
5) Accepting compliments.
6) Not being every girls best friend.
7) Not liking sports.
8) Doing typical “girl” activities.
9) Accepting help from a guy.

Similarly, the following attributes do not make you a feminist:
1) Hating men.
2) Slamming women who carry any of the above qualities.
3) Doing everything guys do.

What will make you a feminist is striving with women all over the world for the same rights as men. That is it.

I think what is great about modern feminism in Western countries is that it has in fact turned into things like women being seen with equality in playing sports and strength. It is so wonderful. Equally, men have been increasingly accepted as being allowed to cry or cook. This too falls under gender equality, but it is not a reason to trash every woman who likes doing what were once perceived as “feminine” activities.

The issues are not so light in other countries. It pains me to read about the violence women in Syria are being subjected to as they are used as “weapons in war”. Women being held in prison have reported that they have been repeatedly raped and tortured during their time there. Not to mention hygiene issues being ignored as women go through their menstrual cycles. With the rising of the so-called “Islamic State” Syrian women are increasingly put down with harsh measures such as being forced to wear the abaya and hijab in a religiously diverse area and prohibiting jeans, close-fitting clothing, and make-up. Women are also not allowed to leave their homes without a male family member. This is affecting young women’s education and will increasingly damage their ability to fight back.

A lack of education is one of the biggest problems that requires work as women in parts of Africa face similar struggles. Most women are not aware of their basic rights because they’ve never been given the option and cannot read about it. Perhaps, one of the most horrific infringements of women’s rights is the practise of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). This will generally involve the partial or complete removal of a girl’s clitoris and the sewing together of the labia majora leaving just enough room for urination. This procedure, unlike male circumcision, is carried out usually when a girl hits puberty. She is not under any anaesthesia and complications such as infection often arise due to unsanitary conditions. For these women, urinating and sexual intercourse become extremely painful. This procedure, which is enforced so women are viewed as “clean”, can result in death. The World Health Organization estimates that at least 90 million females in Africa had FGM, and another 3 million will undergo the procedure each year.

If these facts and figures aren’t enough to make you realise that feminism is still badly needed, then I don’t know what will. These are helpless women who need feminists to help them and this can include both women and men. Feminism is not an excuse to hate men. Feminism is, as mentioned earlier, the fight for women’s equal rights with men. Can we please put down the “I don’t need feminism because I’m not oppressed” badges and realise that it isn’t a movement of women rising above men, but coming up to equal level with them in our most basic human rights. Without feminism, you would not be making career goals or voting or have a right to report sexual assault from your partner.

If you are not a feminist, then you do not want equal rights for women all over the world. We need feminism so that the world continues to re-evaluate and improve women’s rights. The rights to their lives, their bodies, their choices. The battle, for many women, is still ongoing. Support your women and keep feminism burning.

Kerry.