FEMINISM
Why I unapologetically Need Feminism
Feminists do not despise men or hold the belief that we are better than men or feel that women should have special privileges over men. Feminists are not necessarily lesbian or bisexual because feminism does not define someone’s sexuality. Feminists don’t necessarily stop shaving their armpits or wearing bras, but believe that a woman should have the freedom to do so if she wishes without having to worry about the ridiculous beauty standards that society places on women. Feminists do not hate chivalry, please do keep the door open for us. In fact, keep the door open for everyone no matter their gender, it’s just common decency!
When women are sexually assaulted they are often the ones that are either shamed or simply not believed. Many women have also experienced wolf whistling which makes many women feel extremely uncomfortable, not being able to walk around in public without being harassed is why I need feminism. I need feminism because I still have to pay for sanitary products which become expensive over time and which many women simply can’t afford, the fact that I have to pay so much money for a natural bodily function that I can’t help is an outrage.
Feminism also doesn’t necessarily mean that we agree with abortion and that every feminist is always prochoice, what we do believe is that every woman has the right to have one as it is her body and therefore her choice. Feminists have to deal with a whole array of stereotypes, but not one feminist fits into a box.
I need feminism because I am still mostly defined by the way I look and not by my achievements. Our society values beauty tremendously, especially in women, being a beautiful woman is viewed as one of the best attributes of a woman. Forget the fact that I study Modern Languages at a Russell Group University, forget the fact that I am a black belt in Taekwondo or even the fact that I consider myself a good What feminism is, however, is the belief that all genders singer, I am conventionally attractive and that’s all that should have equal political, social and economic rights matters. and opportunities. Feminism is the choice to be who and what you want to be, free from restrictions from the I need feminism because of the amount of times that I have patriarchal society that we live in. been inappropriately touched (especially in nightclubs) by men. Ask any woman and they will almost certainly have a Although as a society we have achieved a lot in terms of story of when they have been inappropriately touched while women’s rights, especially in the Western world, there out in public. is still a lot that needs to be done. Although my reasons for needing feminism living in a developed Western I need feminism because if I decide to get married in the country may be different that women in countries like future I may be required to take my husbands last name due Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the Democratic Republic of to traditions and religion. My last name is part of my Greek Congo, where their basic rights are being denied they identity, take this away and you are taking away part of my are still important nonetheless and need to be listened identity. Although some women may decide they want to to, this is why I need feminism: take their husbands name which is completely fine, they should not feel the pressure to do so, they shouldn’t feel I need feminism because of my innate fear or walking pressure to get married full stop. home when its dark on my own; a friend of mine once told me that she always holds her keys between her The idea that feminism is just a woman’s issue needs fingers when she walks home when it’s dark. to be abolished, feminism is for all. It for the LGBTQ+ community, it is for people of colour and it is also for men. The fact that she does not feel safe to simply walk back In a world where it is reasonable to say ‘grab [women] by home after having a movie night at my house not only the pussy’ demonstrates- we need feminism and I will be defines exactly why feminism is still needed, but is also a unapologetic of calling myself a feminist. sad reflection of our society.
WORDS BY CHARLOTTE KITROMILIDES 32
WESSEX SCENE
