I had to find who I really was behind the scars. A feminist. Feminism is a room full of women reclaiming their power, equality and sanity. All believing that one day the greener pastures of liberty would be found. A belief that women should have the same rights and opportunities as men. Due to unforeseen and unbearable circumstances it has been believed to be more than how it is “anti-men”.
No one wants to feel overpowered, not women or men. Hunger for supremacy has people, mainly men, oppressing women. GBV has been persistent for a long time and the stats are rapidly increasing daily. It has been said that feminism is a one sided belief that women will only benefit, although I believe that is wrong. Men have always been on the frontline, being praised about how chivalrous they can be and also benefitted from patriarchy. It is further explained as disrespect when women reciprocate patriarchy on men. Feminism is the only fair way of advocacy for women’s rights.
Imagine having to deal with different toxic masculinity every day; being raped and killed because someone felt the need to make your body a crime scene. Women’s bodies are objectified and seen as something men could find pleasure from non-consensually. Which part of “NO” makes men feel entitled to forcefully have sex with women? Our nation of men is falling deeper into anarchy. Toxic masculinity and entitlement enables men to grope our jiggly bits.
As a 19-year-old my personal experience about feminism is that it has had a positive impact on my life, generally. It is more than a belief, but an attitude to me. Feminism taught me about claiming back my power from the hands of those who made me feel less or imperfect, and stand up for what I think is worthy. I’ve came across not so eye-catching articles about perpetrators of GBV, remembering Uyinene Mrwetyana, Tshegofatso Pule and other women who felt threatened and also killed by men we love and often respect. Feminism is a platform to create a safer space for women. We seek liberty, equality and a free GBV world through feminism.
It does not take only women to permeate in movements to stop the societal issues or GBV, men must also be held accountable because women cannot be held responsible for men’s irresponsible acts. We ought to have a world that is toxicity free and women must wear what they want without the fear of being raped. Male supremacy, entitlement, toxic masculinity and patriarchy must be dismantled. Women will forever fight for the advancement of women’s rights. I am a FEMINIST, a women’s rights activist, a force to be reckoned with, and I promise to be the voice to the voiceless until liberation is earned. ALUTA CONTINUA! (The struggle continues).
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