Imagine your sister didn’t get a promotion just because “na woman na”?
Imagine you found out a female you love and care about didn’t get an opportunity to to go school because, yes… she’s female.
Imagine your best friend, sister, wife, girlfriend or mother earned less than her male colleagues just because… Yeah, you get.. she’s a woman.
Imagine your favorite aunt not getting the ticket to contest for a political position you know she is fit for just because the 35% graciously reserved for women in politics has been met?
Imagine your sister is denied any form of inheritance just because…. She is a she.
You see where I’m going with this?
Again, imagine what could have made that man somewhere in the North comfortable enough to come out and contest for the position of ‘woman leader’?
Imagine these and many more.
Now if your felt bad or wan kind imaging any of the above happening to your sister, mother, wife, girlfriend, best friend, auntie, neighbor’s sister or any female in your life, then MAYBE WE SHOUD ALL BE FEMINISTS…
Wait,
wait, don’t run please.
Hear me out.
I strongly believe that there are individuals who do not truly understand what feminism is about.
Somehow, my people (read Nigerians) believe that feminism is a man hating agenda.
I think the one they are looking for is MISANDRY…which the Oxford dictionary defines as “dislike of, contempt for, or ingrained prejudice against men’’. Ehen… you see? It’s not me that talk it.
So what really is feminism?
Same dictionary defines feminism to be “the advocacy of women’s rights on the basis of the equality for all the sexes” simple put, Feminism is about all genders having equal rights and opportunities. It is about respecting diverse women’s experiences, identities, knowledge and strengths and striving to empower all women to realize their full rights…
How can anyone be mad at this, please?
What I do not understand is why my desire to be better in life, to earn more, to have a place on the table is seen as me hating men? I believe it is me loving myself enough and wanting what I want for me.
Why is it frowned at when women want to get equal social, political, educational rights?
Would having these stop me from being able to cook and be a good wife, mother, sister or child?
Why should a woman always have to prove her worth despite having same qualifications as her male counterparts?
Why should I be paid less for doing the same job as a man just because I am female? (they don’t want us to chill with the big boys, abi?)
Why should I be denied the right to make decisions for myself, my future just because I am female?
Why should every bad driver be ''na woman na, no wonder" as if having a…..errrrm you know…is a major requirement for changing gears.
If standing for my self and other women makes me a feminist, then I shall wear my badge with pride!
And all this doesnt mean I would disrespect the males in my life but I will always stand up for what I believe in and for what is right for me.
Please respect me in all my femaleness...
So please, stop depicting doom on feminists and feminism and see it for what it is; the struggle that will help your wives, daughters, sisters to reach their full potential in whatever sphere they choose to shine in life…
Last last, like Chimamanda said, “I have chosen to no longer be apologetic for my femaleness and my femininity. And I want to be respected in all of my femaleness because I deserve to be.”
Why should a woman always have to prove her worth despite having same qualifications as her male counterparts?
Why should I be paid less for doing the same job as a man just because I am female? (they don’t want us to chill with the big boys, abi?)
Why should I be denied the right to make decisions for myself, my future just because I am female?
Why should every bad driver be ''na woman na, no wonder" as if having a…..errrrm you know…is a major requirement for changing gears.
If standing for my self and other women makes me a feminist, then I shall wear my badge with pride!
And all this doesnt mean I would disrespect the males in my life but I will always stand up for what I believe in and for what is right for me.
Please respect me in all my femaleness...
So please, stop depicting doom on feminists and feminism and see it for what it is; the struggle that will help your wives, daughters, sisters to reach their full potential in whatever sphere they choose to shine in life…
Last last, like Chimamanda said, “I have chosen to no longer be apologetic for my femaleness and my femininity. And I want to be respected in all of my femaleness because I deserve to be.”
So, I will conclude by saying now that you know Feminism is about making the woman better, getting a woman to be seen and heard and allowed to soar, then i think maybe we should really all be feminists... because who doesn’t want their own to soar and shine bright like the diamond she truly is?
Selah!
Yeah. I read the news of the antics of the politicians in Nigeria with disbelief. How done progress as a nation when some people still have such misogyny. Na wah. We should all be feminists. We would all be feminists if we really knew the meaning.
ReplyDeleteTruly we should all be feminists. Can't image my life without all the women in it
ReplyDeleteWoah! An additional knowledge, now I honestly understand the word " feminist" opposite of my thoughts. Thanks for this enlightenment. keep it up
ReplyDeleteFeminism should be a life style if you ask me. I should be happy seeing other women win and make marks in the society. Women need to wake up and stand for each other at all cost.
ReplyDeleteLet me confess, I am on this table, I did not really know what the feminism is about.
ReplyDeleteEqual rights for all,irrespective of gender I stand!!! Absolutely love this piece �� ❤️
ReplyDeleteFeminism as a concept is broad. There are different theories of feminism. Some are liberal and believe in equal rights for all genders. However the
ReplyDeleteradical feminist are of the view that the reason why women are disadvantaged in the society is men they tend to attribute all the stereotypes and bias women face are caused by men. The radical feminist are only interested in the rights of women but the liberals like myself are for equal rights and opportunity for all genders. Nice piece.(Glamvichi)
Thank you for finally writing on this topic. It starts even from the homes- nuclear families before the larger society. From who does the chores, to who has more study time, to who advances in education, to who goes abroad first to further the education, to marriage, to work, to position at work, to representation at work, to decision making in every sphere of a womans life,and the list goes on. As a woman, I am tired and believe there are others too who are tired. Equality should be the order of the day and not segregation. Yes, Equal Rights in our families, the social sphere, education and politics. We should be given equal rights to be heard and seen. To prove ourselves and stop hiding in a cocoon called 'behind men'.
ReplyDeleteI think more people should see this. Spot on! We've really misunderstood the concept of feminism and that misunderstanding and misrepresentation has cost the XX gender a lot sadly. No doubt we are the more disadvantaged and vulnerable gender but I believe that when we wear our strengths with pride and own our weaknesses, when we shine our light so bright and are no longer apologetic for how we are created, when we demand better treatment and don't accept anything else, the world won't have a choice but to treat us the way we deserve to be treated. Happy International Women's Day in advance. The future is female!.
ReplyDeleteIt gets really annoying when you constantly have to explain why you fight for your right as a woman and still get the don't mind her side glance, insinuating that you are not capable of accomplishing anything other than being a wife. Women are born leaders, strong, capable and should be respected on so many accomplishments instead of being stereotyped. Excellent piece sis. Looking forward to more .
ReplyDeleteThank you so very much for enlightening on feminism.equal right is to be offered to women as well.i believe women are more stronger,forget muscles oo.they are capable all round when it comes to everything...
ReplyDeleteTrue.
ReplyDeleteWomen are stronger it's not about the body size but what is inside.
Women are strong,i cant imagine the world without us
ReplyDeleteA strong woman stands up for herself. A stronger woman stands up for everyone else..
ReplyDeleteWomen are the largest untapped reservoir of talent in the world.
ReplyDeleteWomen are the real architects of society.
ReplyDeleteWe all have a ‘Wonder Woman’ inside of us.”
ReplyDeleteWhere there is a woman, there is magic.
ReplyDeleteWe need to reshape our own perception of how we view ourselves. We have to step up as women and take the lead.
ReplyDeleteNice write up Ma!!!
ReplyDeleteTo tell a woman everything she cannot do is to tell her what she can.
What a man can do,a woman can do better isn't just a phrase but fact...we are made strong and always ready to deliver when given a responsibility.we deserve equal rights������
ReplyDeleteLightening truth about the word FEMINISM. Women deserve more truly. Happy women's day. 😘
ReplyDeleteThis is it! We should all be feminists. Whoever loves you supports you to be a better person all round. We shall keep striving and our goal we shall reach by the grace of Him who has called us to glory and virtue. Thank you for this beautiful piece sis. much love.
ReplyDeleteThumbs up B! You are the real MVP! Excellent piece I must say. Everyday we live, we are reminded of how less human we are just bcos we are women! The world needs to change; or do I say we Africans need to change the narrative. I am with you on this one...we all should be unapologetically FEMINIST!
ReplyDelete