Our World Needs More Feminists

by Hannah Wakawa

Feminism is a concept that has been misunderstood or misinterpreted often times by some women and in most cases the opposite gender.

Feminism is not a battle ground that seeks to prove that women are better than men or that men should be subdued for women. Feminism is simply a movement, an advocacy of women’s rights on the basis of the equality of the sexes.

Often times I study the reaction of both men and women when feminism is discussed. Feminism is of the opinion that the society favours man over women. Imagine a woman with all necessary qualifications being denied a political or social position simply because she’s a woman. The course of Feminism simply wants the society to acknowledge the woman when she needs to be. There’s no weaker gender.

Simone de Beauvoir wrote that “the first time we see a woman take up her pen in defense of her sex” was Christine de Pizan who wrote Epitre au Dieu d’Amour (Epistle to the God of Love) in the 15th century. [History and theory of feminism].

Men from Nigeria tend to believe that feminism is a thing for women therefore women alone should be actively participating in the movement, but feminism has no look for sexes. A man who supports women’s rights and equality is a feminist.

Male feminists do exist around the world; male feminism is a thing and it exists even in Nigeria.

It is indeed beautiful when men identify with women and lend or add their voices to the need for gender equality, but these may come off as a difficult task for a Nigerian Man who believes that feminism is about dismantling patriarchy.

I believe that there are many men out there who believe in the advocacy of equality but do not know how to fight for it. A male feminist can strengthen the movement of equality by calling out everyday sexism, supporting female friends and co-workers, participating in house chores and equal parenting. Barrack Obama once said, “We need to keep changing the attitude that congratulates men for changing a diaper, stigmatizes full-time dads…”

Our world cannot succeed in women inclusion and national development if we do not have many feminists and male feminists to advocate. Feminism is a course which we can achieve by putting out heads together, as men and women. 

Hannah Wakawa is a 21-year-old student from Nigeria with hopes of one day becoming a journalist. She hopes to serve as a voice to the voiceless and bring to the attention of the world, issues that are of concern in her homeland.