Feminism Is For All Of Us


 

As a force for change in a society where women have traditionally been marginalized, 

feminism has had a profound impact. Feminism is a movement that seeks to empower 

women and promote gender equality. Several things have been achieved because of this 

movement, like gender equality and women's ability to participate in decision-making. With 

all these accomplishments, one would think that feminism would be widely accepted in our 

society, but alas, it's as frowned upon as it is praised.

Now that most children have gone back to school, it’s time to let out the back-to-school

steam and get down to some schooling ourselves. What really is feminism?

It's not easy taking a stand for women's rights, especially if you grew up in an African 

society. A better part of our society is still of the notion that feminism is a war between 

males and females and that it is a foreign culture.

I can't count how many times I had to explain that feminism isn't about battle of the sexes, 

it's about achieving a common goal. As women's rights advance, men don't get 

disempowered, feminism is for us all, because inequity we all face is interconnected.

Nigerian novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie put it simply and well when she said We 

should all be feminists. Fighting for gender equality does not erase masculinity nor does it 

ignore ‘male concerns”. 

Feminism is only there to correct the stereotypes that stem from patriarchal societies. 

Traditionally women have been confined to child bearing and care giving roles and little 

access to education or economic opportunities. All that feminism has done is challenge 

these traditional roles, give women a voice and make sure that they have access to 

education and can participate in decision making. A world where everyone is granted equal 

opportunities is the only thing feminists envision.

In one of my conversations with a good friend of mine I was asked what was the point of 

opening doors to women if we are fighting for gender equality. Feminism is not rooted in 

being offensive to women or is it a threat to human kindness. Advocating for feminism does 

not mean doors cannot be opened anymore or that men should never compliment women.

The idea that feminism sets men and women up against each other needs to be erased. 

Gender inequality has a negative impact on both men and women although women get to 

be affected more frequently and severely and this is why feminism is for all of us. 

Feministry!

Nyaradzo Ennah Mutendera

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