It's been a while since I was inspired enough to write anything but listening to Emma Watson's UN speech

completely changed that. Every word she said resonated with me and really made me think - think of all
the times I have faced those very challenges she talked about in her speech. It is rightly pointed out by her
that the word "feminism" has lost its meaning. It has become such a controversial word loaded with
negative connotation. The minute a woman claims to be a feminist, a host of men attack her like vultures
for it. Why? Because feminists are perceived as man-hating witches (excuse my French) who just won't
stop whining! In fact, it is not just men these days who seem to be against the idea of feminism but women
too are falling into this vicious trap, may be to appear cool to their male counterparts or simply because
they don't want to be ridiculed as well.
What I don't understand is: where has the whole idea of equality gone? Yes, even within most literate men
and women, there seems to be a widely accepted notion of the things a woman can't do, or in fact what
men can't be seen doing either! For example, if a woman says "I love you!" to her boyfriend in a
relationship first, she will be judged. If she cares for him too much, she will be called an "Overly Attached
Girlfriend". On the other hand, it is completely acceptable for guys to imagine how their kids would look if
they married their girlfriends. But the minute that thought crosses a girl's mind, she is judged for being
presumptuous and having being married to the guy with their two beautiful kids in her mind already. Why
is there such discrimination on even our thoughts? Similarly, if a guy is seen to be crying or even whining,
he is told not to whine like a GIRL! Why should sensitivity be associated with girls only? Aren't boys
humans too? Don't they have feelings and emotions? Don't their feelings get hurt too? Because just like
Emma, I too believe that men are also being imprisoned by gender stereotypes!
Moving on, people seem to have a problem with the phrase "gender equality" as well. Does gender
equality mean that men should stop being gentlemen and opening doors for women? No. It only means
that women can hold the door open for men as well when a similar opportunity arises. I bring this
example up because anti-feminists always bring up this argument saying that if women want gender
equality, they should stop expecting favors from other men! My question to them is why should they? Is it
really so bad to treat each other with love and respect? In fact, my response to them would be that if
women expect to be treated nicely by men, they should return the same favor to their male counterparts.
Nobody is asking men to slave away in the kitchen all day while women go out to work. No, all we are
asking is that the men do their share as well. If the wife doesn't feel like cooking someday, they volunteer
to make food instead of ordering something from outside.
Similarly, why should moms be assigned the duty of bringing up kids? Why should moms be questioned if
the child misbehaves? Moms and dads both have equal responsibility of their children and they should
fulfill those responsibilities on equal footing. Why should my dad's role as a parent be undermined by
society despite me needing his constant presence in my life? Why is there a phrase that says, "like father,
like son"? Why isn't it "like father, like daughter"? Why are dads automatically expected to bond more
with their sons than their daughters in our society? Why are sons the only one who are considered to be
their fathers' right hand when they grow up to be men? Girls need their fathers just as much as they need
their mothers. It is the society which has shaped our thinking to be otherwise!
But does that mean that we keep accepting what the society tells us to do or to even think as passive
human beings? Certainly not! Emma Watson was spot on when she said that gender equality is your issue
too, oh male species of this world and instead of seeing males and females as two sets of opposing ideals,
it is time we see gender as a spectrum for what it truly is! Therefore, I too invite you men to take part in
the "He For She" campaign and fight for gender equality side by side with us women. And I invite you
women to be proud of identifying yourselves as feminists instead of shying away for the fear of being
ridiculed. After all, it is time men raise their voices WITH feminists rather than AGAINST them!
My name is Maliha Khan and I am proud to be a feminist. I agree that gender equality is not only a
womens issue, it is a human rights issue that requires my participation. And I commit to take action
against all forms of violence and discrimination faced by women and girls. Thank you!