When I hear about feminism, what comes to mind are strong, independent women. They take control of their lives and fight for equality. But these days, being a feminist seems to have a different meaning. I used to believe I was one, but now I wonder, “Am I still one?” The first time I thought being a feminist was cool was when Emma Watson declared herself one. I thought, “Wow, she’s amazing! I am one, too.” I wanted women to be empowered and celebrate who they are.
But over the past few years, I’ve encountered women who don’t want to be associated with feminism, or people who believe women are not as strong as men. I have heard people say that women are the weaker sex. I would listen to their side but one thing is true, my blood boils. I find myself angry or affected, Both genders may be different, but neither one is weaker. I get disappointed when I hear women say they shouldn’t do something that would make a man feel like less of a man, or they shouldn’t act a certain way because it turns men off. I mean, why can’t I be myself?
I grew up surrounded by women. I thought it was like living in Themyscira, where warrior women lived. The women surrounding me were strong women with minds of their own. They were in my school and my home. I can say I grew up mostly not limiting myself to being a girl. I hardly heard people telling me I couldn’t become something because I was a girl. Or maybe I just didn’t keep such thoughts in my mind.
I believe everyone should be equal. I got more exposed to a world that went beyond being a woman. I think everyone is different yet equal in being who one is. But I also know not everyone gets equal opportunities or treatment.
In college I learned that in pre-colonial Philippines, women were considered equal to men. They could do tasks such as gathering food, like the menfolk did. It was only in the Spanish colonial era that women were forced to behave in a certain way and were treated differently.
How free a woman is or how she is treated as an equal depends on her social standing or income
Another experience that enlightened me was when I met a Gabriela Women’s Party member. It was for my thesis. I came in confident that she would tell me great things about being a woman, but she shared something different. She told me that not all women are treated equally. She explained that how free a woman is or how she is treated as an equal depends on her social standing or income. Some women are not treated with dignity because of their environment.
Nowadays, I see different situations where feminism is involved. Some people have discussed how women are enjoying equal treatment, and they ask, why are women still complaining? I would like to say there is still so much to be done. Not every woman enjoys the same freedom as others. A number of women are treated as objects or second-class citizens. There are laws for women’s equality, but they are not executed properly or followed seriously.
Women who believe that women don’t have anything else to fight for are in a privileged position. They don’t see or know that a lot more women are not given the same opportunities as they. We, who have the opportunity to fight, must fight, make ourselves heard, and take action. For men who think they are better than women, you really need to go beyond yourselves. I admit there are women who take advantage of feminism. In recent news, we’ve seen people who rub feminism in people’s faces and don’t respect other genders. These kinds of women, I don’t approve of. It’s obviously bad when you don’t respect other people’s rights and dignity.
I admit there are times I don’t feel the equality. I recall how, in high school, we weren’t allowed to play certain sports because we might get hurt. Another experience involved going out at night—women risked possible dangers. My dream is that women can roam the city without fear. Also, women are expected to be more behaved or responsible because they’re girls. Can’t men be expected to be behave or be responsible? I’m not saying all men are irresponsible, but I always hear, “Eh, lalaki yan” to justify actions that are not justifiable.
Why must women continue to fight for equal treatment ? Or why should we fight at all? Because it’s our right and our lives. Who else will fight for it? We know, more than men, what we need. Who understands being a woman more than a woman? The best way to be a woman is to just be yourself without being restricted by labels, and not isolating yourself because of the belief of others.
