Feminism is as real as Patriarchy is.

Feminism occurred as a response to the oppression of women throughout history. It is a movement that emerged to eliminate the marginalization of women. Individuals unclear about the concept of feminism would only perceive it as ‘oppression of the males’ or ‘dominance over the male society’.

Feminism calls for gender equality based on social, political and economic rights and freedoms. It seeks to rectify the injustice that affects women disproportionately.

Being a feminist does not only pertain to just one gender. There are males and as well as females who consider themselves feminists.

Feminists work to dismantle the existence of patriarchy in society, in turn advocating a culture where everyone is free to express themselves, without the constraints of traditional, oppressive norms.

People misunderstand feminism, viewing it as ‘anti-men’. What people fail to see is that feminism is about fostering a society with equal opportunities, not claiming one gender superior to the other.

Today, feminism has evolved, addressing challenges like online harassment, representation of women in the media and promoting body positivity. In today’s modern world, feminism has played a major role in creating opportunities for women, yet patriarchy still stands dominant.

An individual’s identity is often shaped by their culture and experience. Gender also plays an important role in shaping the challenges they face.

For a young woman, societal norms, ideas and stereotypes come into play. I grew up with women of modern thinking and wider perspectives. However, they still carry the societal norms engraved into them as a child and are now being passed onto me. This includes my body language, how I carry myself and the requirements of having a ‘gentle’ personality. Although, being a woman has it perks, it requires facing challenges that shape their experiences, making them mentally capable. I have faced challenges pertaining to gender bias but this experience taught me to advocate for myself.

I came to realize the injustice and instead became more aware of the problems we face and has shaped me into a strong, young woman with broader perspectives, while conducting myself in a respectable manner. Therefore, my journey as a woman has been challenging and empowering. This journey has also showed the importance of having opinions as a woman to stand up for ourselves against the injustice and criticisms we face. It taught me to embrace my identity as a woman.