Feminism: an undiscovered aspect
As women’s day is round the corner, I present to you one of the most trending topics, discussed over dinner tables at every corner of the world- Feminism, which is often confused as women-favouring and man-hating, while in reality it’s all about equality and basic human right to all not just women.
Feminism can be defined as a set of social and political movement aimed at providing, or we must say, defendingthe social, economic and political rights of all, not just women. Feminism revolves around ideas for providing women with equal wages as their male counterparts, equal access to health and educational facilities, fight against biased inheritance laws and heinous inhuman crimes that prevail in the society.
Sumitha Krishnan is an exceptional example in this connection. She added another chapter in the history for struggle of human rights in India by playing a role as a well-known social activist who fought human trafficking and sexual exploitation. She is the co-founder of Prajwala, an NGO that works to reinstate and exculpate sex-trafficked victims of society. This organizations shelters rescued people and is one of the largest rehab homes. She is herself a survivor of sexual violence.
She also got engaged in housing problem of slum dwellers. When homes of people living by Musi River in Hyderabad were slated to be bulldozed for a “beautification” project. She joined housing rights campaign of PIN, organized protests and obstructed the scheme.
Krishnan was awarded India’s highest civilian honour, Padmashri in 2016. She was appointed as a member of Andhra Pradesh State Women’s Commission and contributed to India’s new bill on rape which was passed in Parliament in 2013 to increase disciplinary measures for sexual violence and assault. She was also appointed as advisor for the Government of Kerela’sNirbhaya Policy for women and children to fight sexual violence. Indian Times listed her as one of the 11 Human Rights Activist whose life mission is to provide others with a life of dignity.
Feminism isn’t a means to compete with the men or a fight to prove “women are superior over men”. It is a revolutionary fight for equal rights to all. It is nothing more than a means to convey how ridiculous it is to believe that women, are in any way less than men. As silly as it sounds, pulling women back when they are trying to do some good to the nation in the name of being “manly” or “guardians of the culture” is utterly unacceptable.
It is nothing but a stupid concept promoted by misogynists which tries to set hurdles in the path of growth, prosperity and progress of the country. Instead of backing these women and confronting these male chauvinists, we often jump into a debate with the women and tag them as “attention seeking feminists”.
Lastly as for women, feminism should be used as a weapon to smash misogynistic, patriarchal stereotypes, and not as a tool misused to frame and blame men. In a nutshell, feminism isn’t about being misandrist but is all about being egalitarian.
Arva Shakir
Teacher
The Emerald Heights International School
As women’s day is round the corner, I present to you one of the most trending topics, discussed over dinner tables at every corner of the world- Feminism, which is often confused as women-favouring and man-hating, while in reality it’s all about equality and basic human right to all not just women.
Feminism can be defined as a set of social and political movement aimed at providing, or we must say, defendingthe social, economic and political rights of all, not just women. Feminism revolves around ideas for providing women with equal wages as their male counterparts, equal access to health and educational facilities, fight against biased inheritance laws and heinous inhuman crimes that prevail in the society.
Sumitha Krishnan is an exceptional example in this connection. She added another chapter in the history for struggle of human rights in India by playing a role as a well-known social activist who fought human trafficking and sexual exploitation. She is the co-founder of Prajwala, an NGO that works to reinstate and exculpate sex-trafficked victims of society. This organizations shelters rescued people and is one of the largest rehab homes. She is herself a survivor of sexual violence.
She also got engaged in housing problem of slum dwellers. When homes of people living by Musi River in Hyderabad were slated to be bulldozed for a “beautification” project. She joined housing rights campaign of PIN, organized protests and obstructed the scheme.
Krishnan was awarded India’s highest civilian honour, Padmashri in 2016. She was appointed as a member of Andhra Pradesh State Women’s Commission and contributed to India’s new bill on rape which was passed in Parliament in 2013 to increase disciplinary measures for sexual violence and assault. She was also appointed as advisor for the Government of Kerela’sNirbhaya Policy for women and children to fight sexual violence. Indian Times listed her as one of the 11 Human Rights Activist whose life mission is to provide others with a life of dignity.
Feminism isn’t a means to compete with the men or a fight to prove “women are superior over men”. It is a revolutionary fight for equal rights to all. It is nothing more than a means to convey how ridiculous it is to believe that women, are in any way less than men. As silly as it sounds, pulling women back when they are trying to do some good to the nation in the name of being “manly” or “guardians of the culture” is utterly unacceptable.
It is nothing but a stupid concept promoted by misogynists which tries to set hurdles in the path of growth, prosperity and progress of the country. Instead of backing these women and confronting these male chauvinists, we often jump into a debate with the women and tag them as “attention seeking feminists”.
Lastly as for women, feminism should be used as a weapon to smash misogynistic, patriarchal stereotypes, and not as a tool misused to frame and blame men. In a nutshell, feminism isn’t about being misandrist but is all about being egalitarian.
Arva Shakir
Teacher
The Emerald Heights International School