A speech for equality

Why we need feminism!

Feminism - the advocacy of women's rights on the ground of the equality of the sexes. 

Feminism has always been a word with a stigma behind it. It causes a lot of controversy. However I believe that it is in fact a basic human right for this word to exist. It stands for the equality of the sexes and nothing else. Throughout history it's a word that many men and women have been afraid to use yet still they found a way to incorporate it into their lives/work. Take Jane Austen, she wrote pride and prejudice in the 1800's a time in which women were married off to husbands to keep the family name going. However in the book she portrays a strong but feminine protagonist, Elizabeth. Many would say she is a feminist as she doesn't let men rule her. She says no. She picks the life she wants. Many from the time wouldn't have understood this message yet still Jane Austen was brave enough to put it out there even if it was hidden. Another example being Jane Eyre, a book about no ordinary women. She is seen as both strong and compassionate in a time where stepping out of the gender norms was forbidden. Furthermore not only did Charlotte Bronte take a risk in creating a character so different to other females in literature at the time. She also had to do it under a male pen name, Currer Bell. Simply because it was unacceptable for females to publish books. To be that educated, she did it in order to beat prejudice. Show men she was capable.

This women faced the wrath of society all to display one important message. Feminism. 

Feminism gets a lot of stigma simply because of the root of the word. Feminism- feminine- female. Such a silly reason not to support a cause. Yes I understand it can seem biased and that its cause is only for the rights of women but it's for the equality of sexes. For men's rights too. The word shouldn't matter, you don't have to call yourself a feminist. Call yourself whatever you want as long as you support and believe in the cause. That both men and women should have the same rights. Should be treated equally.   To be able to act however they want with out judgment or even wear what they want. A word is a word, it has no significance. The meaning is the only important thing. How you pronounce it isn't. 

On the other hand I do understand how some men and women alike can be against feminism, as in the past it has been portrayed as a group of angry women greedy for power. It's been said to neglect men's rights, so I can understand why some don't want to be associated with it. However I believe these people are extremely ignorant and uneducated as they have not taken the time to actually research the cause before dismissing it. The movement does have some negative sides, it has people within that support the cause in controversial ways. But don't all movements and causes? For example we have "black lives matter" in which many protest peacefully against the abuse of the police. Then you have the people who give the cause a negative name as they go around shooting innocent police officers who probably don't share the same views as other racist cops. There are ugly sides to every movement yet it's up to the individual to educate themselves on the topic before forming an opinion. 

Moreover we need feminism now note then ever, there are still over 20 nations which refuse to give women the right to a good education. Countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan, Egypt and Nepal. They refuse to give women a basic human right, to move forward with the time. That's why we need feminism to get women and girls out there learning. In some counties like Dubai where women (men too although it is less strict) are told what to wear when entering the country. It's laws like this that are preventing women from being treated equal to men. We need feminism because in countries like Ireland it's illegal to have an abortion unless the mothers life is at risk. Women can't even control their own bodies, they are not even allowed to  abort the child if they have been raped or molested. This is why we need feminism. How is it fair that women are not allowed to choose what they do with their bodies? It's complete unfair and illogical. 

Men also need feminism because for thousands of years men have been persecuted for acting feminine and not masculine. Still men aren't taken seriously and are afraid to go to the police when they are raped, abused by a partner or molested. They are seen as weak for letting these things happen to them. Yet women can potentially ruin a mans life with a false allegation of rape. Furthermore men aren't encouraged to show their more emotional sides, they have to be emotionless and calm about everything. It's seen as embarrassing to cry. To show a  tender side of yourself. This is a contributing factor as to why the rate of men suffering from a mental illness such as depression is increasing. Men are scared to talk about their feelings. Plus in custody battles women are more likely to gain custody of the child instead of the men simply because of stereotypical and traditional views of mothers looking after the child, men aren't seen as capable. 

To conclude I don't believe feminism is a negative idea. It is a movement that will hopefully have a positive outcome. Yes there is some unwanted negativity surrounding it but still all movements face criticism or bad supporters. People need to focus more on the meaning for the world instead of the actually word. It means equality of the sexes not the take over of the females. I personally think everyone should be a feminist or at least support the quality of the sexes. Yes the genders differ but we are both capable of the same thing. Men and women can be feminists.