Hi. I’m Reneeka Kumar. And today, I’ll be talking about a rather controversial yet sensitive topic: feminism in this article.

Exactly 100 years from now on, women were first given the right vote. We have come a long way from then since.  A lot has changed. Women now are considered to be the same as men in society. We enjoy the same share of rights that men do. So why need feminism? Why do we need feminism if women are the same as men?

Aah, here’s the catch. Now, if you would have noticed you might have seen that I had been using the term ‘same’ instead of ‘equal’. The reason behind this word usage is that women are not equal to men. Or as what the society still thinks.

Women may have been declared to be equal to men. But the universal fact remains, and that is women are not the same as men. It is true. People often fail to understand this point. Women and men, we all have our differences. But we shouldn’t let these differences become the cause of hate and prejudice.

Feminism kind of works in this way. We, feminists, don’t demand to verify the fact that women are the same as men. Instead, what we just demand is to have equal rights. Feminism is not a definition that you have to learn. Feminism is something deeper. It’s a feeling that you get.

Feminism at its core is about equality of men and women, not “sameness.”

Let me ask you guys, what was the first thought that came in your mind when you heard the word “feminism”? Let me guess, something related to females, right? But here’s where you are wrong. Feminism is never about a particular gender. Feminism in a way is about creating a society where men and women don’t have to live with prejudices. Of course, feminism started as demanding rights for the oppressed women. But as time changed, the idea of feminism slowly evolved.

Now feminism is not just about making women seen as equal. But it’s about breaking the stereotypes. Women, of course, were the most affected to live up to the stereotypes that the society had created. But men are affected in the same way women are too.

This question is for boys. How many of you have asked not to cry? Be honest, most of you might have. This is not a surprising fact. Society demands that boys shouldn’t cry, and boys are forced to live up these conditions.

A question for the girls now. Only women should cook. How many of you have been reminded about this so-called fact? Again this stereotype about females has been demanded by society, and girls are being taught to cook. Mind you, learning how to cook is not wrong. But learning to cook based on this stereotype is bad.

So, what’s wrong here?

Since people have a great deal of respect for the great society, I have a question for it? Have you ever considered that men are human too? Perhaps creatures with emotions. Men, by all rights, have the right to express their emotions. And what about the only-women-have-to-cook stereotype? Shouldn’t all know how to cook?

Feminism’s other mission is to break these stereotypes and work for the betterment of society. It is never biased on gender. So the idea of feminism only for women is entirely wrong.

A knife is a really useful tool. On one hand, you can use it to cut vegetables. And on the other hand, it can be used to end someone’s life. Its usage completely depends on the mentality of the person.

Feminism is that knife. It is that knife that can be used to cut the un-equality. But in the meantime, it can be used to cut the hopes of people. You might be wondering why I’m suddenly on this topic. And here’s the reason why.

Feminism is linked to misandry. Or in simple words hating men. Feminism doesn’t require to hate men. Real feminists don’t hate men. Yet people often fail to understand this.

I said it once, and I’m saying it twice: feminism was never, is never, and will be never about hating men. We just want equality. Why do we need to struggle so much? Is asking for equality wrong? Why do many people hate feminism?

These are questions that you need to ask yourself. Find your position in this fight, because you’re either a feminist or a sexist. Make up your mind.

I recognize myself as a feminist. I don’t hate men. I want equality. What do you want? Equality or the continued oppression of both sexes?

Another misconception that I want to clear: you don’t have to a woman to be a feminist. When you start realizing, that it’s time to stop this hatred and prejudice in this society; you are a feminist. Never be afraid to speak up because you and I will change the world!

Thank you!