I gave a talk at a forum organized recently to address women’s rights issues in Nigeria. After my presentation, a woman walked up to me to thank me for my presentation which she said she enjoyed, and then said, ‘Listening to you, one would think that you are a Feminist’. I stared at her in confusion. I managed to muster a response after a few seconds, ‘I am a Feminist’ I told her. Now it was her turn to look confused. At that point, I pulled away from her to attend to someone else, grateful that I was spared the need to do a Feminism 101.
Soon after that incident, I was at a seminar for professional women. All the participants present were women across generations, many of whom had done a fine job of carving a niche for themselves in the brutal worlds of business and politics. The Compere for the day was providing some context for the event, and then she said, ‘We are not talking about Feminism, we are talking about women’s rights’. I almost fell off my chair. I looked around to see if there were any kindred spirits around. I found one, a sister I have worked with in the feminist movement for years. We shared a look and a slight smile. Feminism 101 required again.
Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi is a Gender Specialist, Social Entrepreneur and Writer. She is the Founder of Abovewhispers.com, an online community for women. She can be reached at BAF@abovewhispers.com
22 Responses
Feminists I know are loving, caring, and understand. but one thing I really understand about them is that they want you to always please them at all time but they don’t mind if its at your own lost.
This is quite enlightening and I most times can relate with feminist ideologies. Yet I’m not convinced with most of its manifestations in some of the feminist I’ve met and discussed with. It’s mostly like a group of men trying desperately to overpower men and would strive to achieve this at any cost
“A group of women”
In a family of feminists; I mean when the man also share the ideology, who will be the head of the family or it’ll simply be a house run by equals with no captain of the ship. #justasking
In my own opinion I will say feminism is a movement supporting equal rights for women. There are errorneous belief that women are weak people, and that I won’t accede to, a woman is as important as a man.
Feminist are clairvoyance, altruistic and intuitive women who ally themselves with other women and intercedes for those that are weak and less privileged.
Feminism means female supremacy. At its core, feminism is about the fight for
gender equality. This does not mean that women are or should be better than men; it
means that everyone should have equal opportunities and access to all areas of society.
Whatever their various strengths and weaknesses, all people should have the chance to pursue whichever career or passion they desire. They may not succeed, but they should not be denied the opportunity to try based solely on their gender.
Well, from my own point of view, either being a feminist or not, i like to fight for the right of women but the problem i have with feminism is the overly approach of being equal with men. This seems to be more of the struggle, than the fight for women rights.
Many recent attacks on feminism have claimed that feminism supports women’s choices, as long as they’re the “right ones,” meaning
women who go after careers and money, and thatfeminists look down upon women who
choose to stay at home and take care of their families. This could not be further from the truth. Feminism seeks to give women and men the freedom to choose what they want to do, meaning that they have the option to pursue
whatever life path they desire.
Feminism is not scary. If you support gender equality, you are a feminist. End of story.
Feminists not only believe in equality between men and women, but also in equality between every gender, class, race, and sexual orientation.
Feminism doesn’t just liberate women; it also liberates men by breaking down the standards which society has put in place for both women and men. Men are taught in this society to be macho, emotionless leaders, and to never show weakness, such as being sad and therefore crying as a result of that sadness. These socially
constructed rules cause men to be socially confined.
Feminism says that it’s okay for men to show weakness, be followers, and to show their emotions.
This is an information long due….
Sooo many misconceptjons about feminists…this article just clarifies alll….Nice
I think its the way they carry themselves and what they fight and stand for that allows for the misconceptions….
And since feminists are suppose threats to the opposite gender they try to allow for the society misconceptions about this carrer and passion driven women
Proper Education is KEY.
This article exposes it all. Even though some people especially Nigerians will never read but will just keep ranting and pushing what they don’t know
Information is key… Good clarification about feminism.
Knowledge is power. Have been enlightened more about feminism
@Onozare and Maveedah, I agree with you both, so many misconception about feminism and am glad that have gotten some clarification on this platform. I will go read more about feminism. God bless abovewhispers.com.
Exactly ma’am….@bamisebi tolulope
Is it right to say that any woman standing and fighting for the “woman right” is a FEMINIST??
Wow!!! What can i say ! – There are so many things i never knew about being a feminist before now. This post just shed more light on them. Very Nice. Thank You Ma , and God Bless You,Ma.
Well Said , Ma.
……… Some even say; Feminists are women who are so engulfed by their career, women who are crazy about being equal with menn. All they are about is against The African culture and Tradition, and lots more….. They REALLY NEED TO SEE THIS – TO GET BETTER ENLIGHTENMENT…… THANK YOU.