There is a lot of talk today about if feminism is still needed in 2018, seeing that we have progressed so much from the roots of First Wave Feminism. However, I still see validity in present day feminism. There are so many present day situations where feminism is needed, especially considering the political climate we are in.

The definition of feminism is "the advocacy of women's rights on the basis of the equality of the sexes" and as a feminist, I feel we still do not have equality in the sexes.

There are many issues feminists still have on their minds, including closing the wage gap, bringing attention to sexual assault towards both women and men, violence against women, and how women in other countries do not have the same rights as we do. Here are some facts that show how women still are not equal and how feminism is still needed today:

Over 700 million women alive today were married when they were under 18, and of those some 250 million were married before they were 15.

Around 1 in 10 (120 million) girls worldwide have experienced sexual violence at some point in their lives.

603 million women live in countries where domestic violence is not yet considered a crime.

African-American women earn 64 cents and Latina women earn 56 cents for every dollar earned by a Caucasian man.

4 out of 5 victims of human trafficking are girls.

Female genital mutilation (FGM) affects more than 200 million girls and women alive today in 30 countries.

If these facts in any way outraged you and you want to join the fight, you aren't alone. There are many feminists in the world and many more being brought into the fight with this new generation.

If you still don't see why we need feminism in America, here's just one reason why. Our current day president has said about women: "You have to treat 'em like s----", he has been accused of sexual assault 22 times, he has referred to different women as dog, fat, slob, and disgusting animals, and I really could go on about all the other offensive things he has said about women. If our president is saying things like these about women and people still voted for him, you can obviously see why America still needs feminism.

The term "feminist" has always had a negative connotation and many people cannot look past that negative connotation to look at the big picture: feminists want equality of the sexes, period.

What we need is for women in other countries to have the same rights as American women do. All women deserve an education, they deserve freedom of marriage, they deserve to go about daily routines without being afraid of violence against them, and they deserve to be treated in the same regards as men.

Also, if you're just getting involved in feminism, don't just think about yourself. Remember all the other women in the world, especially people who are a different race, sexual orientation, ethnicity, culture, etc. as you. As a feminist, you want to stand up for all women, not just the ones around you at this very moment. Even if you never meet them, you are fighting for a women who cannot fight for herself.

So, in summary, yes, feminism is still needed in present day. I don't think I'll ever stop being a feminist because I still believe that every women in the world deserves the rights she doesn't have yet and she deserves to be treated the same as men.

Once we have all of these things (and more: there are so many other ideals I haven't touched upon), then we can talk about if feminism can be considered "over". But, for now, we still have a mission that we need accomplished.

Yes, women have come a very far way in their fight for equal rights. However, we still have a far ways to go and I hope my children get to grow up in a world where women are treated just as men are.