The definition of the word ‘feminism’ has been the source of immense confusion lately, with some believing it to mean a belief in female superiority. According to Wikipedia, the words féminisme (feminism) and féministe (feminist) first appeared in France and the Netherlands in 1872 and was used to refer to ‘the qualities of females’. The term ‘feminism’ nowadays refers to the notion of the political, economic and social equality of all humans and to organised activity on behalf of women’s rights and interests. Indeed, the Cambridge English Dictionary defines feminism as ‘the belief that women should be allowed the same rights, power and opportunities as men and be treated in the same way, or the set of activities intended to achieve this state’. Adherents of feminism respect diverse women’s experiences, identities, knowledge and strengths, and promote empowering all women to realise their full rights. Even though the word ‘feminism’ has a positive connotation, it has, at times, been imbued with a different meaning. Due to the spread of anti-feminist propaganda and social media postings, this word has been interpreted to suggest ‘a group of angry women who despise men’, swaying the public into believing that overthrowing society’s norms, perhaps by violent destruction, is a feminist aim. Despite what you may have gathered from the Internet, feminists advocate for women’s achievement through peaceful organisation. Feminism benefits everyone regardless of their gender identification because feminism means standing up for each person’s rights based on the ideal of equality among all humans.
