Feminism is the belief in and advocacy of the political, economic, and social equality of the sexes expressed especially through organized activity on behalf of women's rights and interests.
Feminism (with a capital F) was at an all-time high. Merriam-Webster Dictionary even named it the word of the year in 2017, making it seem like there was a place for everyone in this movement.
Feminism is not a look. It’s not fashion. It wasn’t designed by a millennial to get Instagram likes or a trend created by brands looking for a profit. Feminism is a movement, not just amongst women, but every single person who fights for a need for equality. And that to become a better version of yourself, you don't bring other women down—you empower them. Empowerment is a contagious thing. Feminism also made me realize that beauty should never be confined to one specific type. Beauty is diverse. Feminism taught me to appreciate beauty in all forms and colors, not just the ones I grew up accustomed to.
Feminism is making your own decisions for yourself and not allowing preconceived notions about what a woman ‘should’ be to affect that. It means viewing myself as worthy of love and success, so that my self esteem and my ability to reach my goals are not affected by the world's view of women. It means both actively and mentally supporting other women instead of comparing myself to them.
Feminism has not just taught us to fight for our rights; it has also taught us compassion—compassion for the people who aren't as privileged as we are and compassion for those men who are chained by patriarchal norms.
Too often, feminism is defined as a series of stereotypes. Feminists hate men. Feminists don't wear makeup. Feminists only wear pants.
In Morocco, the word “feminist” is still sometimes used as an insult. Feminists are seen as people who betrayed the traditional way of things, and most female feminists are pictured as queer and anti-men. However, these are just a series of misconstrued stereotypes.
I want to explain feminism to those who don’t understand it and I don’t want to bother fighting with people who disagree. It is so important to remind myself and that even if my family or community disagrees with my beliefs, there are millions of people in Morocco And around the world who do not. So my norm is; don’t waste your time and energy on people who don’t believe that the sexes are meant to be equal socially, politically, and economically; they are not worth it. However, your family and friends often don’t understand the idea of feminism, and you might consider talking with them about it.
But always, no matter what, remember that the future is female and girls should aim to be successful and that a feminist is :“The person who believes in the social, political and economic equality of the sexes ” and there are millions of people who think and believe so, too and fight for that .
Feminism is the huge act of revolt and the everyday small acts of bravery to achieve equality. Feminists are focused on improving the lives of all genders, and all identities to make the world a better place.