Why we need Feminism

By: Vibhuti Nagar

Image retrieved from Sarah Morris/Getty Images

Feminism is defined as the belief in social, economic, and political equality of the sexes that include men, women, and the LGBTQ+ community. The feminism movement is manifested worldwide by various institutions committed to activity on behalf of women's rights and interests. The women's rights movement touched on every area of the women's experience on various topics like politics, work, family, reproductive health, and sexuality. Many misconceptions are afloat about the feminist movement, which has misled and diverted many people into not believing in the movement. Feminists have a goal to attain equal rights for all, but many laws and lawmakers do not let women make their own decisions about themselves. Consequently, women are considered weak due to cultural pasts and we aren’t able to fix it.

Women are often scared to call out men who catcall them because they might follow us home. Questions rush in our heads before taking the next step: Should I yell at him? Should I run? Or should I look down, ignore, and walk?

We are scared about how our family would perceive us if we wore short skirts and crop tops and if we go out to drink and party with our male friends. We’re scared of walking down the streets alone after 6 pm, not because something could happen to us, but because if something does, the reason would be, “Why were you out so late? If you would’ve been home earlier, it wouldn’t have occurred.” 

Students and daughters are scared to be alone with a male teacher or a male relative as the phrase “will anyone believe me?” runs through our heads. I’m scared that I see five-year-old girls learning how to protect themselves from an adult man. I’m scared to accept a drink from my male friends—you never know if he drugged it. I’m scared for every womxn around me because we have to be cautious about every move, step, and word. 

But with feminism, the movement will make sure I don’t have to protect myself. I don’t have to curtail my words and actions. I don’t have to do something I don’t want to just to get a promotion. 


For me, feminism isn't just a trend in which I can exploit to get more followers on Instagram or to get more retweets on Twitter. It isn't some silly movement to help teenagers get clout, unlike how many are treating it. Feminism is more than that; it's the movement that will help make sure I don't grow up in a world where one step up a man takes is equal to 100 steps a woman has to take to reach the same position. It ensures that in the future I get paid fairly in comparison to my future male counterparts for doing the same job. It promises that I will get the same opportunities or some even better than the ones a man gets which he most likely doesn’t even deserve. It makes sure no one questions my ability to do a certain skill or a job just because of my gender or my identity.