Feminism and Me

I am scared of considering myself as a 'feminist' for fear of evoking the negative connotations of that word. Although I am a staunch ally of the womens' rights movement, I would not dare to call myself a 'feminist' in the conventional sense of the term.

I have strong views about the position of women in the society. I believe that a woman is never below a man in her ability to set sail in the stormy sea of life. Like most others, I am proud to see fellow women succeed in all walks of life.

I cheer when the likes of Nancy Pelosi, Hillary Clinton, Condoleeza Rice, Sonia Gandhi and Segelene Royal voice their opinions in public. My heart was filled the day Wangari Maathai stood on the stage to recieve her Nobel Prize for Peace. Likewise, so many women have proved to the world that success is a personal journey totally independant of gender.

Some women have flawed perceptions of their role in society. They believe that womens' liberation involves freedom from the traditional roles of women such as cooking and cleaning. They also feel that hating men is a form of feminism. I consider these women to be a confused lot not sure of the very nature of women.

A woman is often a daughter, wife, mother, sister and a friend rolled into one. It is the woman who makes life around her blessed or cursed. Women need to understand that there is nothing demeaning about fullfilling the demanding chores of daily living. Those around will definitely reciprocrate the efforts of a well-meaning woman.

Women also have certain rights along with the responsibilities. Universal womens' suffrage guarentees all women the right to participate in a democracy. The increasing percentage of women in leadership positions around the globe is a good indication of a progressive society.

Closer home, a woman should have the right to make decisions on the domestic front. After all, she is the corner-stone of a family, the basic unit of society. She should also have the right to choose and pursue a meaningful career.

I get enraged while watching clips of abuse of women on TV. No religion or culture can justify such henious practices.

Sadly, women are kept veiled and segregated in some societies. They are not given the opportunities to learn and improve. They are kept isolated by oppressive regimes and treated as mere objects. Society should never condone such practices.

The value of a woman is priceless. Those who have experienced the strength, companionship and care of a woman will know their true essence. I firmly believe that a society that protects and respects its women will go very far in the future.