The feminist movement is here to stay. The concept of feminism has been grossly misunderstood by men an women alike in Nigeria. Many see feminists as angry, single women who hate men and just want to be like men.
I don’t know how they came to that conclusion but I know that we need to educate these people about feminism and what we seek to achieve by clamouring for equal rights economically and socially.
According to some o my facebook friends, feminism has come to stay because every human irrespective of gender deserves to be treated equally and I agree with them.
My friend Nneka Obani wrote:
Feminism is a movement that advocates equality of both genders.
Feminism does not stop men from producing sperm or women from producing eggs.
The feminist movement became very necessary because for ages women were regarded as :
Creatures to be seen but not to be heard.
Creatures with no feelings attached to their bodies.
Humans created to do the wishes and biddings of men.
Humans that their only goals in life was to be a house keeper, raise children and run after their husbands.
The injustices against women are too numerous to mention.
Now feminism tries to remind us that the males and females are one and the same human.
There isn’t anything superior in any of the sexes simply because of their genitals.
Feminism is a movement that encourages women to find their voice in a society where women have been subjugated, smothered and oppressed for a very long time.
Feminism is a complete blessing, a breath of fresh air and the advantages far outweighs the disadvantages if there is even any disadvantage in the first place.
A woman after my heart Esiri Ukueku-Uduaghan said:
I am a feminist. I don’t want to be a man, I’m happy being all woman.
I only want to be treated and regarded as a human being same as a man would be treated.
I want the same rights and liberties as a man would have.
I don’t want to be him, I just want my own stuff.
Do not tell me I can’t be because I am a woman.
Don’t tell me I can’t have because I’m a woman.
Don’t tell me I can’t say because I am a woman.
Don’t limit, prejudice, discriminate or subjugate me by law, custom or religion because I’m a woman.
Let Me Be Who I Want To Be!
This is what feminism is about.
Ogwa Sim said:
Feminism doesn’t advocate sameness, it advocates equality despite natural differences. Equal social, economic, political opportunities. Nobody wants your phallus or scrotal sac.
And yes, asides biological differences, every other different treatment is human made.
Is it natural that women be denied land inheritance? Which gene encodes for cooking in women?
Which gene encodes for submission or for shaming women or for re-repressing their ambition?