OPINION Feminism is often stereotyped, like many groups, as groups of divorcee women, with unshaven armpits and a general hatred to every living man on the planet. However, this is not true. People often shy away from feminism because they believe it to be daring to make a statement saying they belong to such a group, but feminism is not just about empowering women - it's about promoting gender equality. Okay, feminism largely focuses on things like equal pay for women and equal rights, but feminism can be applied to men too. It's often easy to forget that men can also be victims of gender inequality; I myself have felt victim to gender inequality, feeling that tasks were delegated to a female colleague simply because she has a kinder face, and as a woman, is easier to speak to on a one-to-one level. We must remember that feminism acts to destroy these inequalities for both men and women, despite the feminism name. It's important that we continue to battle for those who feel victim of gender inequality - women who feel objectified and belittled by other scantily clad women, being sexually paraded in media outlets that are in our lines of vision daily; and men too - who are also subjected to magazine covers of other men with images of what man, stereo-typically should look like. Feminism should be about rights and equality for all genders; male, female, transgender, and those who wish to be described differently. | If you believe in equality for all, and you want to see less sexualisation, less favoritism of the office girl whose skirt is two inches from being indecent, and less people being recognised for looks and not talent; become a feminist, and stand up to inequalities that are still unfortunately a regular occurrence in many areas of our country. Take the step to being the change; does your University have a feminist society? If not, why not start one, every person educated on feminism counts towards a future where men and women are treated the same. |