During first-wave feminism, women were finally being heard. They started protesting for their rights with unity and strength. Around this time, a few countries started celebrating 8th March as Women’s Day and now it is celebrated internationally amongst the world. Women are being oppressed since centuries because of this male-dominated world. Since the 20th century, women are stronger than ever. We come from a society that offers men so many privileges; women have always had to fight for their rights, for their freedom. And the sad part is, even after 100 years, women are still fighting in all parts of the world regarding issues like patriarchy, equal pay, sexual harassment, rape and many more. In most countries, women are still trying to defeat chauvinistic leaders and misogynistic politicians to end all the problems that a common woman is facing. These politicians make policies from their point of view of how to make a woman’s life better. But wouldn’t it be better if she was herself asked for the solutions to the problems she was faced with?
This world now has so many inspiring feminists to which women all genders can look up to; and not just female feminists but male feminists as well. There are some men who don’t assert their dominance over women. I myself am not a feminist, but I am not sexist either. I also keep trying to improve my treatment towards women and I try to be more aware of my actions. All men should be alert and aware while interacting with a woman and constantly keep educating and training themselves to be less sexist, less misogynistic. All men are raised in a patriarchy, therefore at times; a man might unintentionally, subconsciously say or do something sexist. I might be one of those men because I have only started learning about feminism in my teenage.Men should be taught from an early age on how they should behave with the other gender. They should be given the education that all the genders are equal and deserve respect. Men should correct other men who display actions that are disrespectful to women.
I was born in a patriarchal family and since I was a child I was probably inculcated with some degree of sexism or misogyny; whether it’s from TV or my friends or by seeing other patriarchal families. My parents never taught me anything sexist but they also never taught me how to behave with other girls or women. There needs to be an effort from both the sexes to eliminate such issues. Men should be taught from an early age on how they should behave with the other gender. They should be given the education that all the genders are equal and deserve respect. Men should correct other men who display actions that are disrespectful to women.
This Woman’s Day, let‘s celebrate all the achievements made by the strong and independent women of this world and the women who are still fighting for their rights and safety. Women need to be more knowledgeable about the freedom and privilege they deserve. And men need to focus on better their treatment towards women; whether it’s your mother, sister, wife, friend or girlfriend because at the end of the day she is another person who deserves the same respect that you do.
– Anukul Thete
Sir J.P. High School 