That’s right: Feminism.

Let’s face it, the third wave is upon us folks, and honestly, it’s about time. Contrary to popular belief, a feminist is not a man-hater (that’s a misandrist), she probably doesn’t burn her bra. A feminist is simply a person of either gender who believes in the social, political, legal, and economic equality of the sexes. Now most people would agree that they hold these beliefs, so why is there such hesitation when one is asked if they are a feminist? Many are afraid of the backlash that comes with the label and that’s why it is so important to change the stigma around the word feminist and educate others on the battle they are fighting.

Some may ask: “What’s the point? Aren’t all the issues resolved?” And I am here to tell you that the answer to that is no. While the first wave of feminism may have gotten us the right to vote and the second wave made a spot for women in the workplace, there are many inequalities that both women and men all over the globe still face today.

While only 18.5 percent of Congress is comprised of women, with women of color making up an even smaller percentage, it is interesting that a topic of politicians today is restricting women’s reproductive rights. The more conservative politicians are looking to make it harder for women to access birth control and defund family planning clinics that provide vital services to women such as cancer screenings, checkups, and much more, allowing mostly men to police women’s bodies.

In many countries throughout the world, the inequalities are even more severe. Women and children are sold into sex slavery, girls 11-12 years old and younger are married off to adult men while other women are attacked with acid and mutilated. These are the issues modern day feminists are fighting. So no, all of the feminist issues are not resolved. And also no, a feminist is not a man-hating b*tch who burns her bra because she wants attention; a feminist is someone who believes in equality and wants to see a change in the world.