by Hurmat Altaf
Women must liberate themselves from the constraints of societal expectations and embrace true freedom rather than mere illusion. Understanding feminist theory is imperative to this liberation.
Countless women find themselves trapped in this unfortunate condition, where the preservation of their supposed innocence, euphemistically labelled as ignorance, necessitates the concealment of truth. They are coerced into adopting a fabricated persona before their faculties have matured. From infancy, they are indoctrinated with the notion that beauty serves as a woman’s primary asset, leading their minds to conform to societal expectations. Consequently, they confine themselves within the confines of superficial standards, tirelessly seeking to embellish their constrained existence.
The significance of Women’s Day lies in our shared challenge with identity and the pervasive experience of being marginalised in a predominantly male-centric society. It provides a vital opportunity to confront reality and dismantle societal constructs. As Simone de Beauvoir aptly articulated, “One is not born a woman, but rather becomes one,” highlights how biological differences have been manipulated to justify dominance, inequality, and hegemony.
The term feminism, introduced by French philosopher Charles Fourier in 1837, initially referred to the concept of femininity. It has evolved into a political movement advocating for the recognition and establishment of equal rights across genders, encompassing political, economic, and social spheres. The roots of feminism can be traced back to the Renaissance, an intellectual movement in Italy that laid the groundwork for the Enlightenment in the 18th century.
The first wave of feminism emerged in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, signalling the onset of the feminist movement. During this period, women campaigned for suffrage rights, which had been previously denied to them. Notable milestones include New Zealand granting women the right to vote in 1893, followed by Britain in 1928. Emmeline Pankhurst played a significant role in securing voting rights for women in Britain. The upheavals of World War II led to a decline in the feminist movement, but it resurged in the early 1960s with the advent of the second wave, which aimed for the “complete liberation” of women from patriarchal structures.
The distinction between the first and second waves of feminism lies in their strategies. The first wave primarily campaigned for suffrage rights through petitions, whereas the second wave challenged the patriarchal system itself, rejecting the authority of men over women’s rights. Figures like Simone de Beauvoir played a pivotal role in this wave, advocating for the revaluation and resistance of societal gender norms. The second wave marked a significant milestone in the ongoing struggle for gender equality
The third wave of feminism emerged in the early 1990s, with Rebecca Walker coining the term in her article ‘Becoming the Third Wave’. Distinguished by its emphasis on women’s autonomy over their bodies, particularly concerning reproductive rights, this wave marked a departure from its predecessors. It notably prioritized inclusivity, embracing the voices and experiences of black women. In 2012, the fourth wave of feminism arose with the ‘Me Too’ movement, highlighting issues of sexual abuse and harassment in contemporary society.
Despite significant progress in history, contemporary discussions surrounding feminism often carry negative connotations, reducing it to issues of appearance and victimization. There is a prevalent misconception that feminism involves denigrating men and exaggerating women’s rights. However, feminism encompasses more than these stereotypes. It advocates for the recognition of both male and female rights, rejecting the denial of women’s rights. Moreover, women frequently face dehumanisation in the guise of feminism, being objectified and subjected to misogyny and sexism, perpetuating harmful stereotypes of weakness and reducing them to mere sexual objects.
Women must liberate themselves from the constraints of societal expectations and embrace true freedom rather than mere illusion. Understanding feminist theory is imperative to this liberation. In our current societal landscape, we often hear about women facing adversity at the hands of their in-laws, which can stem from various factors, including women’s financial dependence on men. To combat the oppression of patriarchy, women should prioritize building careers and achieving financial independence. Financial reliance is identified as a fundamental issue contributing to the marginalization of women, thus emphasizing the importance of financial autonomy and self-worth.
Achieving financial independence empowers women to assert their worth and drive societal progress. By embracing economic autonomy, they liberate themselves from societal constraints, inspiring resilience and motivating future generations. As champions of self-reliance, women challenge gender norms, contributing to a more inclusive society that values their potential and ambitions. Through redefining their roles, women catalyze change, reshaping conversations around empowerment and igniting transformative shifts in our societal fabric. In conclusion, Mary Wollstonecraft’s words ring true: “Women seek not power over men, but power over themselves.”
(The author studies English at the University of Kashmir. Ideas are personal.)
