Page 26 - Cosmopolitan India (January 2020)

upfront

“IT’S 2020! discrimination, class, culture, genders.

WHY ARE WE We all need to talk. Not behind closed
doors, but out in the open. And loudly.
And clearly. And together. Men and
ARE STILL women. This is what led me to found
SheThePeople, which has championed
the dialogue on everyday feminism.
‘WONDERING’ about lifting women. Being a feminist is
Feminism isn’t about bashing men, but

important to me because I need to speak
IF WE ARE up against anyone who reduces my worth
as a woman. I’m a feminist because,
among other things, I believe in equality
FEMINISTS?” of men, women and other genders—I
want to raise my son to be a better man,
and my daughter a better fighter of
patriarchy. Feminism advocates equal
Our guest columnist sheds light on the real rights for both men and women. Many
women don’t get promotions, or
meaning of feminism, and why we all, sometimes even jobs, because of
unequivocally, need to put our weight behind it. marriage and maternity. As a woman, I
must have control over my body, my
—By Shaili Chopra reproductive rights, and safety.
“ ’ve always thought of myself a spent time speaking to thousands of silent and both will be an act of
Over the course of my career, as I
I can raise my voice or choose to be
feminist. I’ve known no other
way. Even if the word ‘feminism’ women, it was evident that a majority feminism. Each of us has our own brand
I entered my lexicon late in life, of Indian women are forced to garb of feminism. It’s an unseen belief and
I’ve believed in it since the time I’ve their real self, and patriarchy came force that empowers us. It urges you to
recognised that women have to fight packaged in everyday things. As a believe that there’s no one definition of
for their rightful place in the world. result, most women didn’t have a voice. feminism...it comes draped in ambition,
In a country like India, you’ve got In recent years, feminist movements vulnerability, power, fundamental rights,
to be bold and fearless to start have attracted significant attention motherhood, singlehood, wealth,
conversations on feminism, because of across the world, and yet, so many
the intensely patriarchal society we’ve women still say they don’t identify with
been raised in. How many of us have the term! It’s 2020, and we’re still “Feminism isn’t about
been told, repeatedly, to not raise our ‘wondering’. Here’s my bit to help. reserving seats in a
voices, to sit daintily, be coy, to not roll Feminism isn’t about reserving seats
our eyes, or not talk back?! Being able in a metro or making rides free on a metro or making rides
to express your opinion is a privilege of bus. It’s about creating a public free on a bus.”
a few. As is being able to say no. discourse on rights, sexism, behaviour,

From active participation as the Indian suffragettes in the Women’s opportunity (or the lack of it), and
Coronation Procession in 1911 (pic) to many a movement today, depravity. It’s ultimately about creating
women have had to fight for their rightful place in the world. access to opportunity and having agency.
So, if you simply remind yourself that
‘feminism is really about having the right
to be who you want to be’, we’d end
further debate on whether or not we are
feminists, and get down to championing
each other and lifting each other
intellectually, physically, culturally,
financially, and emotionally. Women in
India are a community still waiting to be Photograph: PINTEREST
mainstreamed, and I think feminism is
what promises to change that.” n