Am I a feminist?
I want men and women to be treated equally, and not discriminated against purely based on their gender.
Currently, this is not the case. Here in the UK, or globally.
Are you a feminist?
Would you trust a female pilot less than a male one?
Would you refuse to be treated by a male midwife?
Would you balk at the sight of a female security guard?
No. Of course not. So why do we accept that in some areas, women are still being paid less than their male counterparts, for doing exactly the same job - purely based on their gender?
Are you a feminist?
A stigma is still associated with men speaking outwardly about their emotions. As society unrelentingly scorns those men who are 'soft' - who show their 'feminine side' - suicide remains the biggest killer of young males in the U.K. Women in the same mental state appear to be exempt from this sort of mockery; even encouraged to seek help from caring, nurturing female friends. Our differing considerations are again, purely based on gender, with men continuing to have worse mental health outcomes simply due to their XY chromosomes.
Are you a feminist?
Data from UNICEF shows that in Sub-Saharan Africa, only two out of thirty-five countries have gender parity when it comes to education. If a family is poor and only has enough money to send one of their children to school, due to strong cultural norms they will choose to send their son. Negative classroom environments continue to exist, where it is not uncommon for girls to experience violence, exploitation or corporal punishment. Add into the mix household obligations, child labour and child marriage - recent estimates show that 1/3 of girls in the developing world are married before age 18, and 1/3 give birth before age 20 - and that leaves little time for women to receive an education. The reasons why they aren't entitled to this essential right? Purely based on gender.
Are you a feminist?
To the friend who said she's not a feminist because she likes housework and looking after her husband; to the relative who said she's not a feminist because it doesn't affect her personally; to the person on Twitter who said she's not a feminist because she doesn't take part in protest marches and burn bras - please reconsider your statements.
I want men and women to be treated equally, and not discriminated against purely based on their gender.
Can you stand up and say you don't want this too?
No. Of course not.
Then guess what - you and I are feminists together.
#BeBoldForChange
Image credit - The Cotswold Company