“I do not wish women to have power over men; but over themselves’’
-MARY WOLLSTONECRAFT
I believe that feminism is a cure for women because it is an ideology that promotes equal opportunities and equal rights for women as men in all spheres of life, whether it is political, social, or economic. Feminism as an ideology emerged in the late 19th century through ‘Mary Wollstonecraft’. She is known as the mother of feminism.
The main aim of feminism is to overthrow the patriarchal structure of society because this social system is completely based on male supremacy which limits and stops women to live their life according to their will and this patriarchal system has set up some traditional domestic roles for women, which seems unfair in nature and creates gender-based discrimination in society.
Although this ideology does not support any particular gender, or group, or the establishment of a matriarchal system in society, it only demands the establishment of such a society that is based on equality. As we know from ancient time to till date, women has faced many difficulties, problems, and challenges in their life because our society was chained up with many social evils such as- racial discrimination, child marriage, the sati system, dowry, and an orthodox mindset. But this feminist ideology worked as a cure for women to improve their political, social, and economic condition and tried to connect them with the mainstream. In India, Savitribai Phule, Tarabai Shinde, and Fatima Sheikh are considered pioneers of the feminist ideology and movement in India. Savitribai Phule is known as the first female teacher in India who opened the first ever girls’ school in Pune, at Bhidewada in 1848.
We can explain this feminist ideology as a social and political movement, which promotes following rights for women such as Equal pay, equal voting rights, reproductive rights, equal property rights etc. Some political and social philosophers believed that the main reasons behind the miserable condition of women were stereotypes, orthodox mindset, and Gender-based discrimination. Because it differentiates men and women on the basis of gender. It is a preconception of society which tells us how to speak, how to groom, how to behave, and how to act as per our assigned roles.
we still need feminism as a cure because there are many women who are still facing difficulties and problems in their lives and they do not feel safe and secure in the public and private sphere. There are still many uncountable cases of Rape, sexual harassment, domestic violence, forced marriage, and women trafficking against women all over the world. We need to focus on many untouched areas and improve the condition of women because we find that there is still a big gap between the literacy rate of males and females and we also find a lack of participation of women in the public and private sphere as well as a lack of representation in politics.
As a youth I believe that, we can bring positive change in society through two ways:- Unlearn:- In this, we need to discard orthodox mindset, traditional norms, customs, and old thinking which are previously learned by society and which differentiate men and women on illogical basis. Relearn:- After unlearning, we need to relearn new things which are beneficial to the development of our society and need to create a social system which should be based on equality where men and women both can enjoy their lives according to their will without any discrimination.
An Australian feminist writer G.D Anderson said, “Feminism is not about making women stronger. Women are already strong. It is about changing the way the world perceives that strength”.
