What does feminism actually mean?

What does feminism actually mean?  This is the meaning of feminism given by interactional feminism.  Feminism is just about acknowledging the interplay between gender and other forms of discrimination, like race, age, class, socioeconomic status, physical or mental ability, gender or sexual identity, religion or ethnicity.

What does feminism actually mean?

This is an interesting question.  When I was a learner in high school and unable to give the correct answer to a question posed by the teacher, I lowered my head and raked out all my mental impressions constructed so far.  Now, this question made me do the same.  The difference now is I can ask the question to Google Madam.  ChatGPT is also acceptable.  Last week, while visiting us, my daughters encouraged me to try it.  But, I am hesitant to try new things.  They concurred; the AI answers needed my judgment before taking it.  Oh!  No, Google is okay. 

The Wiky Definition.

"Feminism is a range of socio-political movements and ideologies that aim to define and establish the political, economic, personal and social equality of the sexes.  Feminism holds the position that societies promote the male point of view and that women are treated unjustly in these societies."  This is what Wikipedia tells me. 

Using my analytical power, I take this definition as using the single lens of gender discrimination that society promotes a male-dominated position and treats women unjustly or unequally.  And the change agency is solely the society. 

Are women suffering only male discrimination?

Women are subjected to racial, caste, legal, financial, and many more discrimination.  I have read in South Africa in the fifties, the Black women's movement was restricted by the pass laws introduced then by the apartheid government.  In their homes, men treated them as inferior.  Women, in general, received less pay for the same job than men.  That was discrimination in multiple tires.   

When South Africa became independent, the constitution resolved racial discrimination.  However, the economic disparity keeps women and girls vulnerable to male domination economically, sexually, or both.  

Women discrimination in India.

In India, women across and in the constitutional categories of Scheduled and backwards suffer discrimination in multiple tires.  Many laws were passed to redeem women from sexual, gender, dowry and social discrimination, but the violence and discrimination against them haven't found complete answers. 

IWDA, International Women's Developmental Agency, defines feminism as "all genders having equal rights and opportunities."

"It is about respecting diverse women's experiences, identities, knowledge and strength and striving to  empower all women to realise their full rights." 

This defines women on a broader canvas and gives them the agency to empower themselves and the need for society to accept their strength and potential. 

This definition comes from the ideas promoted by Intersectional Feminism.

What does intersectional feminism mean?

Intersectional feminism "is just about acknowledging the interplay between gender and other forms of discrimination, like race, age, class, socioeconomic status, physical or mental ability, gender or sexual identity, religion or ethnicity."

• This, you can see, is an inclusive definition.  

Defining an initiative or movement correctly and inclusively and understanding what it means before attempting to resolve it is necessary.  In particular, in the case of feminism, given its subtle, deep-rooted nature and its potential to lie low and blast violently and damningly.  And its purpose of targeting women covertly and coherently.  

• And I consider this is actually what feminism means.

Those who want to read more about IWDA and intersectional feminism go to this link.

Take Away

Do you agree with how feminism is defined by intersectional feminism?  Is it inclusive?

Share your thoughts here.  

This is the 8/10 post in BlogChatterHalfMarathon.