Future is feminism

Why do we need feminism across the world? Why do we need feminism in India? The topic of feminism is controversial for reasons that are founded in fear and misunderstanding. Feminism is grounded in the belief of equality of all, irrespective of gender identity. To understand feminism in today’s world, it is important to understand the opposition behind it. Many — both men and women — oppose feminism for several reasons, many of which are rooted in the fear of change. Some are unwilling to face the changes in tradition, culture, and power dynamics that are sure to follow an equality-based movement. Others are concerned about a supposed “feminist takeover”, through which women are planning to overthrow and dominate men. In reality, the goal of the movement is equality, which does not yet exist anywhere in today’s world, despite arguments otherwise.

Feminists are made up of people of all genders, of all sexualities, of all classes. But even if feminists are angry, are gay, what is wrong with that? Why is it wrong to strive for equality? Given the injustices that women continue to face, it should be no surprise that many are willing to fight for change. 

Today, violence against women is still a pressing issue across the world. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, about 137 women are killed by either intimate partners or family members across the world every day. It is estimated that almost 60% of all female homicides are committed by those who are close to the victim. In India, for instance, dowry-related deaths account for 40 to 50% of female homicides in the country. Another shocking statistic shows that as of 2016, four cases of rape are reported in the nation every hour. A survey conducted by the Thomson Reuters Foundation places India at first place for the most dangerous country for women on the basis of criteria including healthcare, economic resources, cultural and traditional practices, violence (both sexual and non-sexual), female foeticide and infanticide, and human trafficking. India contains the highest number of girls that are married before the age of 18, as over 25% of all women are married underaged despite laws forbidding this practice. Therefore, there is an unquestionable need for feminism in India for the sake of women’s safety.

Violence against women of the LGBTQ+ community is still alarmingly prevalent across the world with women facing increased rates of sexual and physical violence compared to their heterosexual counterparts. It is important to note that all forms of violence against women are vastly underreported worldwide, and thus, it is likely that any statistics are significantly higher in reality.

Why women’s are still not treated equally today also ? Across India gender inequality results in unequal opportunities, and while it impacts on the lives of both genders, statistically it is girls that are the most disadvantaged. Globally girls have higher survival rates at birth, are more likely to be developmentally on track, and just as likely to participate in preschool, but India is the only large country where more girls die than boys. Girls are also more likely to drop out of school. In India girls and boys experience adolescence differently. While boys tend to experience greater freedom, girls tend to face extensive limitations on their ability to move freely and to make decisions affecting their work, education, marriage and social relationships.

Some Indian women are global leaders and powerful voices in diverse fields but most women and girls in India do not fully enjoy many of their rights due to deeply entrenched patriarchal views, norms, traditions and structures.

India will not fully develop unless both girls and boys are equally supported to reach their full potential. 

There are risks, violations and vulnerabilities girls face just because they are girls. Most of these risks are directly linked to the economic, political, social and cultural disadvantages girls deal with in their daily lives. This becomes acute during crisis and disasters.

With the prevalence of gender discrimination, and social norms and practices, girls become exposed to the possibility of child marriage, teenage pregnancy, child domestic work, poor education and health, sexual abuse, exploitation and violence. Many of these manifestations will not change unless girls are valued more.      

Wage gap, body shaming, rape, child abuse, illiteracy, child marriage, leaving work to become a good wife, honour killing – there are multiple reasons why there is need of feminism.