Everyone, regardless of their gender, should have equal rights and opportunities. That’s feminism in a nutshell. The movement began in the 1800s when women fought for the right to vote, own property and receive education. Today, feminism looks different.
Modern feminism focuses on the belief in the equality of people of all genders, and dismantling anything and everything that stands in the way of gender inequality.
“These inequalities could be pay inequality, gender-based health care inaccessibility, rigid social expectations, or gender-based violence which still impact people everywhere to this day,” explains ABC News.
Many argue that historically, feminism focused primarily on the struggles of white, middle-class women, despite many black women being part of the movement. These women of color still faced barriers even after important feminist victories
More recently, feminists are fighting not just for women, but for those who were previously excluded from the movement, like women of color and gender diverse people.
“Our gender, our race, disability, class, sexuality, and more – all of these pieces of ourselves generate different lived experiences and also help us understand that no one of us is just one thing,” says Diana Duarte, the Director of Policy and Strategic Engagement at MADRE, a feminist group. “This inclusive vision is a powerful and integral part of feminism.”
While the feminist movement has celebrated some major wins, we aren't anywhere near to seeing proper gender equality. In fact, The United Nation estimates that, without proper investment, this could take almost 300 more years to achieve.
According to Global Citizen, more than 120 million girls don't have access to education, and of the 690 million people who are food insecure around the world, 60% are women and girls.
Global Citizen's experts add that women-owned businesses receive less than 1% of global procurement spending. And the United Nations revealed in September 2023 that for each dollar men earn globally, women earn just 51 cents.
"Women also spend three times as many hours on unpaid domestic and care work as men," notes Global Citizen's website.
"A lot of young people think that women's rights has already been accomplished. We've got Title IX; we've got laws against gender discrimination. But they don't realize there are still so many forces against women's rights, like reproductive rights and pay equity," says Cynthia de las Fuentes, past-president of the American Psychological Association's Society for the Psychology of Women
Anyone can be a feminist and U.K.-based organization Right To Equality believes that all men should be feminists. The organization's experts explain that feminism benefits everyone, regardless of gender, by creating equal opportunities for advancement across all areas of life.
This includes combating sexism, promoting equality between genders in terms of rights and responsibilities, and fostering respect between genders which leads to greater understanding and acceptance throughout our communities. "Ultimately," notes the site, "this creates a better world for all people regardless of their background or identity."
According to a Pew Research Center poll, about six-in-ten U.S. women say “feminist” describes them very (19%) or somewhat (42%) well.
"Notably, many of those who identify as feminist are critical of the feminist movement," reveals Pew. "For example, 43% of adults who say feminism describes them very or somewhat well also say feminism is polarizing, and 45% would not describe it as inclusive."
