Come on people, we’ve all at least heard about feminism, right? What I ain’t sure of is if you’ve really ever bothered to find out what it really means amidst several speculations. Well, let me save you the hustle! Feminism is conventionally defined as a range of movements and ideologies that share a common goal which is to define, establish, and achieve equal political, economic, cultural, personal, and social rights. A feminist role is to advocate or support the rights and equality of women.
The term feminism never just dropped from the sky for people to start using and associating to, the term was actually coined or rather first used (whatever the case) by a French philosopher Charles Fourier. He used it to describe all kinds of movements which aimed to establish the rights of women of the world.
Feminism as a movement came in various waves. The first wave was a movement aimed to attain suffrage (the right to vote in a political election); the second was to establish socioeconomic rights; the third was a follow up movement to counter the failure of the second wave; the fourth wave which the current one is based on social justice for women and it is mainly fought on social media.
Feminism as a term looks confined and limited but as a movement, it comes in various shades of concepts- basically due to many themes explored by different Feminist which vary in goals, strategies and affiliation- With that said, feminist can fall under; Separatist feminism, Radical Feminism, cultural feminism, Marxism feminism or socialist feminism, Religion feminism, Liberal Feminism, Eco-feminism, Black Feminism, I feminism etc..
Feminism according to my understanding is believing in equal rights for everyone. Feminism is believing that everyone deserves equal chances and opportunities. Feminism is not only fighting for women’s rights, but also for men’s. Being a feminist is believing that a man being raped or abused is just as wrong and horrible as a woman being raped or abused. It’s believing that women can hold jobs traditionally held by men, and that men can hold jobs traditionally held by women. Feminism is connoted to mean gender equality. At least that is what it should be!!
What’s in store for a young lady in this age of fourth wave Feminism? A lady who has been raised to be natural . A lady who was never told how she is expected to carry herself being a female. A lady who grew-up without ‘he/she set of guidelines’, and for this reason she embraced feminism. Wait a minute, this doesn’t mean she lived with no rules, of course her family had rules that would ensure she grows to be morally upright and responsible without suppressing her abilities. She is lucky! This young lady is a African feminist who is determine and equally keen to apply both Logic, Evolution, Religion and African cultural concept in defining feminism.
She is not the first African feminism and she understands that she would be the last. She recognizes the Precolonial African feminism, which laid the foundation and roots of feminism in Africa. Women like Queen Nzinga, Adelaide Casely-Hayford, Charlotte Maxeke, Wambui Otieno, Lilian Ngoyi, Albertina Sisulu, Maragaret Ekpo and Funmilayo Anikulapo-Kuti among many others; were feminist because they fought against colonialism as well as patriarchy. As an African who value some of its culture, she embraces some of its culture. She however differs with some of the cultural aspect which demean women. For instance, the furiously debated norm ‘the role of a women is in the kitchen, are not fit to be leaders or partake ‘men’s jobs’, and they shouldn’t be as educated as their brothers’. It is absurd. Not forgetting the FGM culture that subject women to torture, maternal complications later in life or even death, it clearly has no place in this world.
It is undeniable that the world has evolved and so many things have changed. We are compelled to live according to the needs of evolution. Currently, our women are not a stay home parent because they equally need to work hard and smart to ensure that the needs of the family together with the society are met. But why do the society make it look a disgrace yet it is for the benefit of all? Ironic. People have made women empowerment/equality/feminism to be throbbing and yet it something that should be positively and universally embraced.
Assigning gender roles restricts people from fully achieving their potentials. ‘That women role is supposed to be in the house/kitchen?’ Of course, she cooks and does all house chores not because she is a woman but because she is being responsible. She can equally ‘hunt’ for the family provision and do the manly role if need be. This should be the same case with men, it is unrealistic to wait upon women to do certain roles yet you are present and idle. The African feminist embraces division of labor in a realistic way.
All became crystal clear when this young African feminist first read the Kiswahili set book “Utengano”, the experience affirmed her feminism. ‘Mwanamke ni chombo cha kuburudisha mwanamume…’ (A woman is an entertainment instrument to a man…) These words infuriated her. A woman’s dignity is lowered by the society as she is sexually objectified. Never will she be an instrument of source of pleasure or entertainment to men. An intimate relationship between the two sexes should be that of respect and that they are equal partners. Both he and she are all sexual and have sexual features which are attractive equally. A woman’s job is not to be likable but to be her full-self that is aware of humanity.
This African feminist must thrive to promote constructive feminist, which is the true feminism. A feminism which advocates for equality among both sexes but not oppressing either one for others’ own agenda. Above all, has a woman, she is honest, kind and brave because that’s who she is 🙂
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