FEMINISM:

YOU ARE NOT YOUR INSECURITY.

YOU ARE NOT YOUR BULIMIA.

YOU ARE NOT YOUR SKIN COLOR.

YOUR ARE NOT YOUR COMPLEXION.

YOU ARE NOT YOUR ANXIETY.

YOU ARE NOT YOUR FEARS.

YOU ARE NOT YOUR ABUSER.

I am not my fair skin. I am not my weight. I am not my big thighs. I am not a victim.

I am not my anxiety. I am not my past. I am not someone's whipping post. I am not my makeup.

I AM ENOUGH.

I am just a 20-year-old woman who is built with flaws and insecurities. I am a woman and I am strong and I am beautiful, because I believe that I am. I live in a country where if a woman gets raped, the first thing she is asked is "What were you wearing?" I live in a country where if I decide to wear something that is figure-hugging and shows off my assets I am called a "whore", "slut" and I must get around, when in reality I am just confident in my clothes.

I live in a time when it is a constant power struggle with the opposite sex, when women get paid less than men and when men still question whether you are smart enough to hold a certain career. I live in a country where going out means catcalls and always being aware of your surroundings, because being a woman means it's no longer safe to be out alone without having some form of protection.

Despite all of that, I still love being a woman because being a woman is beautiful, no matter what your body type is - no matter your skin color, no matter where you come from and no matter if you love yourself or not. I am a feminist and, no, I don't hate men. In fact, it's the exact opposite. And, no, it also doesn't mean I am going to end up alone with a lot of cats because, guess what: I am a dog person ...

To me, being a feminist means loving the female form and appreciating who women are and all the things that women have accomplished and evolved into. I am not my insecurities and you are not yours.

Being a feminist is NOT a negative word; it is so much more.

Here are three reasons why I love being a woman and I don't care if you call me a Feminist:

"Stand for something or you will fall for anything." - Rosa Parks

1. Having a voice:

Being outspoken never hurt anyone. Standing up for what you believe in and defending a cause will never be a bad thing. Being a feminist doesn't have to mean you hate men and hate their existence. It just means you support equality. I believe in gender equality no matter your race, what you look like, or where you may come from.

2. I'd rather be known for my brain rather than my looks.

Beauty, to me, is more about what is on the inside, not how you look on the outside. Today, women compare themselves to each other. Is she prettier than me? Does she have prettier hair? Every woman at some point has asked that - including myself - and what I've learned over the years is to STOP hating other women for how they look and start loving each other for being comfortable with how they look. I will always rather be remembered for my talent rather than how I look. Beauty will always fade, but your talent will never age.

3. I believe in the strength of women.

I believe that a woman's power is depended on her word and what she believes in and stands for. I am not saying a woman is stronger than a man; I am saying that women are strong, too, and there is nothing wrong with being strong. You are beautiful and you are the gatekeeper to your life. Never back down and always stand up for what you believe in, because as long as you defend what matters to you, you will never be wrong. You hold your power and never let fear win!