It always makes me happy whenever I see people use their power and influence for the better of mankind.
Last weekend, a famous actress turned United Nations representative, and one of my role models, Emma Watson, spoke about a new global program she’s starting called “HeForShe,” which invites men to join the feminist movement. She made a couple of points about how the lack of equality between the sexes affects men and women.
If you haven’t already watched her speech, please go watch it now, before reading the rest of this column; everything I have to say will make much more sense if you do.
Watson states, and I agree, that feminism has become the new “F” word and it comes with the misconception that it’s synonymous with misandry.
I consider myself a feminist, but that doesn’t mean I hate men. I care about all of the guys in my life – my friends, my family members, my boyfriend – and I don’t want them to think I hate them because I’m pursuing feminist ideals.
In her speech Watson said, “Feminism, by definition, is the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities. It is the theory of the political, economic and social equality of the sexes.”
It’s not about hating men or women being better than men at all. It’s the idea of achieving equality between both of the sexes.
While many people have heard the challenges that women face in our unequal society, Watson, in explaining her campaign, spoke more for the men and how they can help bring about this equality, because gender equality is a men’s issue too.
I don’t want men to face effects of gender inequality either. Why does showing your emotions and talking about how you feel have to be looked at as a girly thing? It’s not inherently manly or girly. It’s humanly.
Everyone goes through times of emotional distress and it shouldn’t be frowned upon to need to talk about it. Plus, I’m sure given the option of talking to someone or committing suicide – one thing that Watson mentioned many men result to – society would prefer that guys just talk about their feelings.
Why do certain character traits have to be attributed to either men or women?
I’m a woman, yet I don’t cook, I hate cleaning unless I absolutely have to and I know virtually nothing about children, but I like the color pink, wearing dresses and shopping.
So am I manly or girly? Maybe I’m neither. I’m just a human.
I would like to extend the same invitation that Watson gave to the men who read this column, not only so that the women you care about can live in a world with gender equality, but so that you can too.
KHADIJA DJELLOULI
