Feminism. 

It’s a word which we hear a lot but what does it mean? By definition it is the advocacy for equal rights for women. In the late 19th century the first mainstream idea of it was formed, and hence came suffragettes and suffragists and other groups of women, tired of being treated as second class citizens. 

 

In 1928 all women over 21 in the UK gained the right to vote after years of fighting. This wasn't the end of feminism though. Despite equal voting rights women continued to be seen as lesser than men and still faced lots of discrimination.

 

Sadly, this is still true today. Women are not seen as as strong or able as men. We do not get paid the same amount despite the same work being done. We aren't as well respected and have to fight to be taken seriously in the workplace. When a man speaks over others he is considered confident and brave. When a woman speaks over others, just to be heard, she is bossy and rude. The double standards that exist in today's society are just as poignant as they were in the past, just buried a little deeper. 

 

In recent years people have started to believe that feminism has become pointless. That women are now equal to men despite still being treated poorly. 

This mindset could have extremely damaging effects on young girls. Many still grow up being told what they should do and how they should behave based on gender. They are thrust towards dolls, teaching them to be mother's, and steered away from cars because "that's a boy's toy". From childhood we are told what we should do and are expected to listen. We are bred to accept poor treatment from men. This discrimination  is why feminism is important and still completely necessary, even in the modern world.

 

Feminism. By definition it is the advocacy of women's rights but it is so much more than that. It is a political movement towards equality, for women of all races, all backgrounds and all religious beliefs. It is the challenging of gender norms and social barriers used against women. It’s the refusal to stay silent about oppression. It has a different meaning for everyone, but what does it mean to you?

By Imogen Dearlove.