Why Should We All Be Feminists

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Feminism is a movement that aims to achieve equality for all individuals, regardless of their gender. While it is often viewed as a movement for women, it imperative for everyone to be a feminist. A feminist society will benefit all its stakeholders which shall enable every individual to progress without discriminatory hurdles.

Firstly, men should be feminists as they’ve a lot to benefit! While women disproportionately experience issues such as the gender pay gap, sexual harassment, and domestic violence; men are also affected by the patriarchal norms and expectations. Societal conditioning to be the “Provider” adds an undue mental strain on men. A feminist society can help men break free from these restrictive gender roles, allowing them to explore their interests and talents without fear of judgment. Societal pressure often discourages men from seeking help at the cost of worsening their own mental health. The privileges that men lose will work in their favour by unshackling them from society’s burden.

When any individual is assigned a generic label via society, it not only harms them but also harms the society as a whole. For example, a lack of marginalised genders and sexualities in leadership positions cause diverse perspectives to not be represented, and opportunities for innovation and growth are missed. The productivity loss from this will significantly impact the GDP of any country. This further widens inequality, causing the cycle to repeat. Thus, when an individual is empowered to reach their full potential irrespective of their ‘societal label’, society benefits.

So, what can we do to be feminists? The first step is to educate ourselves about other’s experiences and perspectives. Convincing someone to be a feminist would be easier when we empathise with them, understand where they’re coming from. Engaging them with feminist ideas and making them realise how feminism will positively add to their life can help. Having thought provoking conversations with others will further spread the idea.

Another important step is to advocate for policies and laws that promote gender equality, speaking out against sexism and misogyny. Making establishments aware of how feminism benefits all, regardless of their gender and identity will surely push policy making too! By supporting feminism, we are inching a step closer to a more equal and just society for all. It is up to each and every one of us to do our part in building a better world for ourselves and future generations.

- Siddharth Neelkanth

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