Big, Bad Feminism

Feminism. The 'big, bad' word.

If you're one of those people who have been swayed by the wild wind of 'anti-feminism' (especially on the African continent and, most especially in the Nigerian context - because you're of the opinion that feminists don't think it's their place to cook for their husbands, wash boxers or take care of their children), then I hope this Merriam-Webster Dictionary definition of the word 'feminism' helps: [feminism is] the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities.

Of course, there are several branches of feminism:
- There are some feminists who don't wear bras, heels or shave their armpits because they see those 'requirements' as methods in which society and culture have repressed women and tried to mold them into behaving and looking a certain way over the centuries. Feminists under this category kick against social pressures like having to wear corsets and girdles to hold their waists in.
- There are some feminists who don't think they should have to stay at home, cook, clean and raise children while the men get to go into the world, make all the money and build awesome careers. These feminists refuse to conform to gender roles society has handed to women; 'Cook, clean and raise a family; that's what you're here for.'
- There are some feminists who, as described above, advocate for the progression of women economically and socially so that a woman and man who both work the same hours and work as hard, can get the same pay and benefits. Feminists in this category don't mind partaking in 'gender roles' and enjoy being a woman (get dressed up, wear make up, get their hair done etc.) but they advocate for the rights of women, fighting for women to be taken into consideration where national policies et al. are concerned.
- There are some feminists who advocate predominantly for the progression of Caucasian women; in their advocacy they neglect the lifestyles and challenges Indian, Aboriginal, African women etc. face.
- There are some feminists who advocate only for the progression of Black women; in inverse format, these feminists intentionally focus only on black women and women of colour. They come from the standpoint that white feminists have always enjoyed the privileges that come with being white and can't understand (or have chosen not to understand) what black women and women of colour have undergone and continue to undergo simply because they are women.

This list is not exhaustive. There are different blends of feminism and often times the kind of feminism a woman exudes stems from her personality and experiences.

So, 'feminism' isn't this huge umbrella under which every feminist standing hates men. Besides, there are some feminists who are men.

We need feminism. Personally, I need feminism because of the amount of little girls who have been sexually abused and molested, who grow up to be timid and lack self-confidence and a sense of self-worth because noone stood up for them; noone one dealt with the abuser (the father, uncle, cousin, family friend, teacher or stranger) who hurt her, and noone told her it was not her fault.

I need feminism for my daughter, who will go to school and will be educated; I need feminism for the five million Nigerian girls who do not attend school; I need feminism for the 496 million women the world over who cannot read or write; I need feminism so that my sisters from Chibok, and my Kurdish and Yazidi sisters can return home.

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