We Should all be Feminists- Why Women Say: I am not a Feminist?

We should all be feminists. I am a feminist; I believe in the ideology of feminism, and I do my best to advocate for it whenever I have the chance.

However, in many conversations, I hear women saying, “I am not a feminist.” And I keep asking myself the question: why? We should all be feminists…

Why on earth would a woman want to remain disconnected from men in a male-dominated environment with sexism and inequalities? Why on earth would so many women be fighting on the streets for equality, creating organizations and associations, all for one woman to come forward and say, “I know I am a woman, but I am not a feminist.”

I used to get so frustrated and judgmental. I used to be so angry, wondering why they would do this to us. We should all be feminists

Again, I had to pause, observe, and ask myself questions that would lead me to a positive conclusion.

So, instead of channeling my energy into harsh judgments in my head, I tried to understand them. Their number one argument is often, “Well, we are women; we are built a certain way. We cannot be like men. Do you think I can be as strong as a man? And don’t talk to me about exceptions; I am not going to compete in competitions…” Or they might say, “So you don’t agree that women are more emotional? We make many decisions based on emotions; we are more sensitive. We have our periods, hormones, and pregnancy… and so on.”

These were the most commonly used arguments when supporting the claim, “I am a woman, but I am not a feminist.”

Okay, ladies, I hear you, and guess what? I am not disagreeing with you, but I want to emphasize a very important point.

What does it mean to be a feminist? What does feminism mean?

According to the International Women’s Development Agency, “being a feminist simply means believing in equal rights for all genders.”

Now, let’s break it down. “Equal rights for all genders.”

What does it mean to have equal rights for all genders? It simply means that you are given the same opportunities. It means that the law allows you to have access to all the rights applicable to men. It means that in society, you are as free as a man can be.

• Does this take anything away from you? No.
• Is it scary? Yes.
• Have we reached a point in society where women feel comfortable having the same rights as men? No.
• Should we fight for the chance to have the same opportunities? Yes.
• Why? Because if you have the same opportunities, you can choose what you want to do.

You are not bound by societal norms or laws. You are free to decide for yourself.

So, for all the women who claim they are not feminists, let me tell you that you may be fighting the wrong battle. Let’s unite to ensure that we all have the same rights. Whether you choose to be a stay-at-home mom supported by your husband’s income, decide not to go out after 11 pm, or opt not to take public transportation while wearing a dress, let it be your choice. Not because it is imposed on you.

Let’s support each other and uplift one another. We can achieve a lot if we focus on fighting the same battle. We should all be feminists. 

If you want to know more about the power of language in feminism visit my blog here