Why do we still need feminism?

Pre-warning: This article will include words such as feminism, women and equality. If any of those terms frighten you or threaten your sense of security then please read on because you could do with a good education. While you read on, please keep in mind the following mantra: Feminists are not just angry man-hating lesbians. Feminists do not believe women are better than men. Feminists do not believe women are victims. Feminists believe in equality. Carry on. 

In the past week, a male friend of mine decided to ask me, after a couple of pints in a smoking area of a pub, whether we really needed feminism anymore. His arguments were that things aren’t as bad as they used to be and that society has come a long way in terms of gender equality, and I have to give it to my tipsy friend, yes, as a community of human beings, we have taken our time but have started to acknowledge women as people. But funnily enough, feminism is still an important movement that everyone should at least respect if not join.

As Lena Dunham put it, “Feminism isn’t a dirty word. It’s not like we’re a deranged group who think women should take over the planet, raise our young on our own and eliminate men from the picture.” Being a feminist has nothing to do with how you look, what you wear, who you date or how often you have sex. Being a feminist doesn’t mean you think women deserve special rights; it means you know we deserve equal ones.

So, why do we still need feminism? There are a number people that believe it’s a thing of the past – that patriarchy no longer exists. After all, we can vote right? In fact, demographically, women vote more than men. Yet, women still hold less than 20 percent of parliament, even though they make up more than half the population.

As long as it’s assumed the woman will take the man’s last name when people get married, we will still need feminism.

As long as women are the ones who feel ashamed after they’re assaulted, we will still need feminism.

As long as we keep teaching women how to prevent rape rather than teaching people not to view women as objects, we will still need feminism.

As long as women are still told not to walk alone at night because it makes them an easy target, we will still need feminism.

As long as McDonald’s still asks if you want a girl or a boy toy, we will still need feminism.

As long as we use terms like ‘pussy’ and ‘bitch’ to imply weakness, we will still need feminism.

As long as there are still countries without laws against marital rape or child brides, we will still need feminism.

As long as FGM still happens to girls as young as 5 months old, we will still need feminism.

As long as there are people that agree with women not being paid for the same work as men, we will still need feminism.

Feminism doesn’t mean you think women can’t speak for themselves, it means you realise that, even though some may be lucky enough to, there’s still many who can’t. Why do we still need feminism? For the same reason screenwriter John Whedon gave when asked why he writes such strong female characters; “Because you’re still asking me that question.”