If You’re Not a Feminist, Let’s Talk About What That Really Means

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Summary

Feminism has shaped many of the freedoms women enjoy today, from education and voting rights to legal protections against violence and the ability to live independently. Despite this, feminism is often misunderstood and rejected by those who unknowingly benefit from its gains.

If you’re a woman and you’ve ever been to school, had the choice to get married (or not), opened a bank account, or even voted, you’ve benefited from feminism. If you’re married but didn’t lose your virginity to your husband or didn’t face punishment for that, that’s feminism at work. If you’ve ever considered getting a divorce and knew it was legally possible, that’s because of feminism, too.

Think about this, the reason sexual harassment is illegal, why you can call the police if you’re a victim of domestic violence, or why rape is recognised as a crime, it’s all thanks to feminism. The fact that women can live independently, make their own decisions, and not need a male guardian’s approval? Feminism made that happen.

It’s wild to think that many of the basic freedoms women enjoy today had to be fought for, tooth and nail, by the feminists who came before us. And yet, feminism is often misunderstood. Some people have been taught to reject it, with the claim that it is a  “man-hating movement.”

Here’s where the real conversation starts. There’s an awakening happening. More and more people are realising how deep these inequalities run, who understand the fight that came before and the battles that lie ahead. And then there are those still asleep, enjoying the fruits of liberation while unknowingly rejecting the very roots of their freedom.

Let’s talk about what awakening really means. It’s not just about recognizing the privileges we enjoy; it’s about understanding their fragility. Rights, no matter how entrenched they may seem, are not permanent. Look to Iran as an example. In the 1970s, Iranian women pursued higher education, dressed as they pleased, and thrived in professional spaces. Today, those freedoms have been stripped away and replaced by enforced oppression. The contrast is jarring and should serve as a warning. Progress can be undone in an instant if we fail to nurture and protect it.

Feminism is not some fringe ideology; it’s about gender justice and equality for women– who have been historically excluded and oppressed. It’s about creating a world where no one, regardless of gender, is silenced, oppressed, or denied opportunity. If you’ve ever benefited from the right to choose, whether that’s who to marry, what career to pursue, or how to live your life, you’ve benefited from feminism.

The truth is that rejecting feminism while enjoying its gains is like spitting on the ladder that helped you climb. Every right women have today was fought for often at great personal cost. And yet, the fight is far from over.

This awakening we’re experiencing isn’t universal. For every person rising to consciousness, there are others who remain shackled by misinformation or complacency. They reject feminism without realising that it’s the very reason they can reject it freely. They don’t see that the rights they enjoy are not guaranteed, they are the fruits of a battle fought by women who refused to be silenced.

Let’s reignite the fire that feminism planted within all of us. Let’s celebrate the victories but also prepare for the challenges ahead. Let’s use our voices not just to honour those who came before but to protect the rights we’ve inherited and expand them for the next generation.

The fight for equality isn’t over. In many ways, it’s only just begun. And whether you realise it or not, you’re part of this story. Together, we can awaken those still asleep, build a community of support, and ensure that the progress we’ve made is never erased.