In recent years, the topic of “feminism” seems familiar and fiercely discussed in a lot of newspapers, but has the movement crept deep enough? Or there are still distinctions, double standards placed on women today in both work, life, right to education, reproductive rights and human rights. There are even claims and doubts that women are demanding “supremacy”? Should only women or transgender people support feminism? And as a cisgender man, what can you and should you support feminism?
According to Merriam-Webster. , the term cisgender (cis) is used to refer to people whose gender identity identifies with the gender they are assigned after birth. So a legit man means that you are born with a body designated as male and you fully recognize yourself as male.
In fact, false and conservative stereotypes such as “Only effeminate” people support feminism” or “This era is equal, women are trying to claim more rights than men”, “Women who support feminism are hating men” are quite common. However, anyone can support the feminist movement, as long as you have faith in equality in all genders economically, politically, and socially regardless of skin color, ethnicity, social class, and sexual orientation (femismisequality, 2021).
The above explanation probably satisfies the question of whether a cisgender man is pro-feminist. So should a gay man support feminism?
According to UNESCO statistics in 2019, 75% of children who have never been to school are girls, 73% of female journalists have suffered from cyber violence, 2/3 of the 771 million illiterate people are women. It is also estimated that women could only be able to make 84 cents while that figure for men is 1 dollar (UNESCO, 2019). The above figures have exposed the heart-breaking reality that gender inequality is profoundly affecting women’s right to be educated, labor rights, reproductive rights and human rights. They have been losing the most fundamental human rights. So when you fight alongside feminism, it doesn’t mean you’re demeaning or diminishing men’s rights, you’re just speaking up so that all genders have equal rights in all areas. It also means that you support that both sexes have the right to enjoy full education, the right to follow whatever profession they want, to be independent, to run for office,…
UNESCO’s campaign for gender equality in and through education (Source: UNESCO.org)
To support feminism is not as difficult as people often think. A feminist male would not argue that laws that empower women are privileged or biased. Instead, they see it as a solution to the oppression and injustice that many generations of women around the world have suffered in the history. Women may also have gender stereotypical towards women and those who are not gendered may eventually have incorrect thoughts about feminism and gender equality. Femist male support feminism because they know that it is not taking anything away from him but giving rights, equality, opportunity and freedom to all.
So as students, what can we do to support feminism? Initially, you should speak up when your friends use words that demean women, treat women, girlfriends as a type of goods, a bait. Furthermore, you can provide this knowledge to your friends, motivating them to become global citizens who fight for a more equal and free world.
The feminist movement is not restricted by any gender, color, ethnicity or social status. Supporters should be proud and bold of their belief in feminism because it not only carries a great meaning to bring the movement closer to its purpose of creating an equality and freedom among all genders, but also contributes to shaping a more civilized world.
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Bibliography
Gender equality and education. (2019). UNESCO. Retrieved September 19, 2022, from https://www.unesco.org/en/gender-equality/education
Kozicki, R. (2021). Feminism is Equality. Retrieved September 19, 2022, from https://feminismisequality.com/
Rose, E. (2017, July 30). How to be a feminist as a cis man. The Gayly. Retrieved September 19, 2022, from https://www.gayly.com/how-be-feminist-cis-man
Werft, M., & Clinch, D. (2017, April 10). 27 Famous Men Who Are Proud to Be Feminists. Global Citizen. Retrieved September 14, 2022, from https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/27-famous-men-proud-to-be-feminists/
Carrejo, C. (2016, January 26). 7 Feminist Justin Trudeau Quotes That Thrust Gender Equality Into The Spotlight & Will Also Make You Swoon. Bustle. Retrieved September 19, 2022, from https://www.bustle.com/articles/137923-7-feminist-justin-trudeau-quotes-that-thrust-gender-equality-into-the-spotlight-will-also-make