The definition of feminism reads as follows: the theory of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes. Feminists are not equal to their common stereotypes. Feminists are not against men, feminists wish for equality for every gender.
Frankly, at the end of the day, feminism is about equality. The march existed in order to bring women's rights to the view of people who may not realize the lack of equality. Women are not afforded the same rights men expect to have. Condoms can be found for free from multiple places, but tampons and pads cost a ridiculous amount of money. Women's shelters are constantly in need of these necessary items. If you do not already know, let me teach you something your health class should have: women cannot control their periods. They cannot stop bleeding by clicking their heels three times. Yet this product is taxed as though it is a luxury item, as though it is something that all women are able to stop at will.
Although 1 in 4 women are sexually assaulted on college campuses, no true feminist will tell you that men are not sexually assaulted as well. Men are most certainly sexually assaulted, and consent is absolutely mandatory for every single sexual encounter. I am of the belief that women should have a choice over what happens to their bodies. Women can make decisions for themselves, whether that be abortion, adoption, being a stay-at-home mother, or even sex work. The important factor in each of these decisions is consent.
Feminism is something I stand for, and I do not do so apologetically. I was first introduced to feminism by my seventh grade English teacher, who had a poster in her classroom that read: "Feminism is the radical notion that women are people." It had not even crossed my mind that there were people in the world who did not believe that women were equal to men.
I will not pretend that feminism is without its problems. There are certainly extreme feminists who do not care about men, who believe that women should not be stay-at-home moms, or who believe that people of color and LGBTQ women do not deserve equality in the same way white cisgender heterosexual women do. Equality needs to exist with every gender. I see the argument that women in developed countries need to appreciate the rights they do have. This does not mean that equal rights have been achieved right here. Feminists fight for equality for all, and not just in the United States. I stand for women everywhere, not for women to be above men, but for equality. Every woman should have the right to do what they wish with their lives, and I hope someday that our society believes the same way.
