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Feminism Is Not Really a Third World Issue

• January 7, 2023
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Bushra Arooj has attempted this essay on the given pattern, which Sir  Syed Kazim Ali  teaches his students, who have consistently been qualifying their CSS and PMS essays. The essay is uploaded to help other competitive aspirants learn and practice how to write a comprehensive outline; how to write bullets in an outline; how to write the introductory paragraph; how to connect sentences and paragraphs; how to write a topic sentence; how to put evidence within the paragraphs.

1- Introduction

No country in the world has succeeded in closing the gender gap in all aspects of social, political, and economic life, making feminism a global issue, not merely a third-world problem.

2- Debunking the term feminism 3- How is feminism a global issue, not a third-world one? ✓ Due to political discrimination against women

• ✓  Underrepresentation in political parties
• ✓  Low participation in the electoral process
• ✓  Underrepresentation in the decision-making process
• ✓  Very few women as heads of states

✓ Due to economic inequalities faced by women

• ✓  Wage disparity
• ✓  Glass ceiling and hurdles in their promotion to top hierarchies
• ✓  Unequal access to resources
• ✓  Lack of job opportunities

✓ Due to social injustice towards women

• ✓  Social expectations and fixed roles assigned to women
• ✓  Violence against women
• ✓  Early marriages
• ✓  Discriminatory social norms and customs

4- Critical analysis 5- Conclusion 

The dawn of the 21st century has witnessed many feminist movements to improve the status of women worldwide. The developed world has remained the champion of all such movements and urged the third world to follow suit. Yet, no country in the world has succeeded in closing the gender gap in all aspects of social, political, and economic life, making feminism a global issue, not merely a third-world problem. Even the USA, the world power, has never elected a female president since its independence. That reflects that political discrimination, social injustice, and economic oppression against women exist everywhere in the world regardless of the level of development attained by the state. Women face political discrimination worldwide as they are underrepresented in political parties and are not given their due share in the decision-making process. It is evident that a few women act as Heads of state, even though they constitute half of the world’s population.

To begin with, it is pertinent to discuss what feminism is. Feminism is the belief that men and women should be treated equally in life’s political, social, and economic aspects. It advocates that women should have access to the same opportunities and space that men enjoy. It also strives to empower them by eliminating all forms of gender discrimination and inequality that are manifested at all stages of women’s life cycle. According to Mary Wollstonecraft, feminism aims at emancipating women of gender biases, dependence on husbands, and sexual division of labour and enables them to gain control of their lives by challenging patriarchal norms and values prevalent in society.

Women are facing political discrimination as they are underrepresented in political parties worldwide. Women face both formal and informal barriers to participation in politics, including problems in the nomination, and these are even worse in parties with hypermasculine cultures. Not to speak of the third world, even the most advanced states cannot bridge that gender gap within the structure of their political parties. For example, according to the Center for American Women And Politics report, only 29% of women candidates were nominated by both the Democratic and Republican parties for the US House of Representatives in the 2020 elections. This reflects the political marginalization of women even in the most advanced states of the world, thereby making feminism a global issue and not merely a third-world problem. Thus, women are underrepresented in political parties worldwide, and their worldwide political marginalization highlights the fact that feminism is a global problem.

Moreover, women’s voter turnout ratio is lower as compared to men in many developed states, along with the developing ones. This is due to the fact that women are considered less politically literate and active as compared to men. Such thought reduces the importance of voting for women, which decreases their participation in the electoral process. In the developing world, the turnout ratio of female voters is disturbing, as in some constituencies of Pakistan, it was even less than 10 per cent of the total polled votes. Even in developed states like the UK, women are given less importance in the electoral process, which is reflected in the fact that their votes are termed as ‘women’s votes’ as if they are distinct from the ‘normal’ votes cast. Not only this, the women turnout ratio significantly decreased during the USA Presidential Elections in 2018, according to PEW Research Institute. This highlights the fact that women are considered less politically aware worldwide, due to which their participation in the electoral process is not encouraged in the developing as well as the developed world, thereby, strengthening the fact that feminism is a global issue, not merely a third world problem.

Furthermore, women are underrepresented in the decision-making process and are not given their due share in positions of power across the world. Due to this, women’s problems are not appropriately addressed, and women-related policies are also made by men sitting in the corridors of power. As a result, men get the opportunity to decide the fate of half of the world’s population, which results in the further marginalization of women from the decision-making process. This phenomenon is prevalent in both the third world and the developed world. For example, in Myanmar, the Aung Sang Su ki government was toppled by the military dictator to keep her from the decision-making process and the male chauvinist society intact. In the third world and the developed world, women are less visible in decision-making processes. Even the most developed state, like the USA, has never elected a female president since its independence. In addition, in many developed states, like Spain, women are given low-profile ministries to keep them away from politics and decision-making, thereby making feminism a global issue. Thus, women are underrepresented in the decision-making process and less visible in the corridors of power. Thus, women are unrepresented in decision-making structures worldwide, making feminism a global issue, not merely a third-world issue.

In addition, only a few countries of the world have women as Heads of state. The third world and the developed world are giving fewer leadership opportunities to women. According to UN Women, only 13 women are acting as Heads of State worldwide. This reflects the glaring gender bias as women are denied the right to rule just for being women and are considered less politically active than men. Such stereotypes are prevalent not only in the third world but also in the developed states. Even the USA, the world’s champion of women’s rights, has not witnessed a female president since it came into being. Also, Hillary Clinton faced character assassination and abusive language from her opponent Donald Trump while running for the presidential elections in 2018. This reflects that women face political discrimination throughout the world, irrespective of the level of development attained by the state, and doors of leadership barely open for them because they are not considered capable enough to carry the burdensome leadership responsibilities on their fragile shoulders. Thus, the world has a few women as Heads of state, reflecting the fact that women face political discrimination across the globe, thereby making feminism a global issue, not merely a third-world problem.

In the political sphere and economic domain, women face discrimination, inequality, and marginalization throughout the world. Women are denied their economic rights and paid less in the third world; however, the situation is no better in the developed world. According to UN Women, women make 77 cents for every dollar made by men around the globe and even in the USA women make 88 cents for every dollar earned by men. This wage disparity results in income inequality between men and women worldwide, giving birth to the feminization of poverty. This gender-based wage gap arises because women’s work is undervalued and considered less worthy than their male counterparts, even though they both perform the same job. According to the USA Labour Department, women in the USA are paid less than their male counterparts for the same work. Many female workers face the motherhood penalty of getting sacked after becoming pregnant. Thus, wage disparity exists everywhere across the world, even in the states that are the champions of women’s rights, making feminism a global issue, not merely a third-world concern.

Moreover, women face a structural barrier in the form of the glass ceiling that hinders their upward mobility to senior-level positions in an organization. Apart from the glass ceiling, women also face inflexible working hours and work 15% more hours than their male counterparts. These structural barriers arise due to gender stereotyping that women are not good decision-makers but are hardworking, docile labour force. This increases inequality and limits growth by preventing women from reaching their full labour market potential. According to an OECD report, women hold only 5.9 per cent of CEO positions in companies worldwide. In developing states like Pakistan, many companies have admitted to having pushed women to the wall, as 95% of the managerial cadres are occupied by men. Not to ask of the developing states, even the most developed state like the USA and the European states also face this phenomenon. According to the USA Labour Department, only 5% of women become CEO of companies, and only 19.9% hold corporate board seats. This reflects the glaring inequalities and structural barriers faced by women worldwide. Thus, women face structural barriers in organizations worldwide that hinder their upward mobility and stick them to lower cadre jobs, thereby making feminism a global issue, not merely a third-world problem.

In addition, economic inequalities between men and women manifest themselves in terms of assets owned, as the latter do not have equal access to economic and financial resources compared to their male counterparts. Women worldwide lack land ownership as most of the land and property is owned by men. This gives control and power to the hands of males and gives them the authority to decide the fate of women. In developing states like South Africa, only 25% of the rural women own land and have control over their income while the remaining ones work on the farms owned by their male family members, thus, having no control over the economic and financial resources. Not only in the developing states but also in the developed ones, women are not given equal property rights and equal access to economic resources. According to UN Women, women in the USA face difficulty in divorce as most men control family finances and resources. Apart from that, the USA Roma community does not give women any property rights at all. This reflects that women are discriminated against everywhere in the world in terms of access to economic and financial resources, thus, making feminism a global issue, not merely a third-world issue.

Further, women face discrimination in the job market across the world. They are either concentrated in low-paying, low-skilled and precarious jobs or completely excluded from the marketplace, which reflects the lack of job opportunities available to women. It is due to the gender stereotyping that considers women unreliable and inconsistent workforce. Apart from that, many pregnant women are fired from their jobs as a motherhood penalty across the world. According to a World Bank report, only 10% of women are working in the formal sector in Pakistan while the majority is concentrated in the informal sector, and nearly all women in the developing states share the same fate. Not only in the developing states but also in the developed ones, women are not given due share in the job market. According to ILO, women’s workforce is not considered worthy even in the developed world, giving them fewer job opportunities than their male counterparts. It is evident that when Covid-19 hard-hit companies in the USA, they preferred lying off the women workforce. This reflects that women are not given their share in the world’s job market, hence proving that feminism is a global issue, not merely a third-world problem.

Besides political and economic inequalities, women also face social discrimination worldwide. The gendered dimension of the world has resulted in social expectations and has fixed roles assigned to women. These gender roles and social expectations have robbed millions of girls of their bright futures. They have confined women within the four walls of the houses by limiting them to unpaid household chores. This results in very few career opportunities for women due to social expectations attached to them. According to the Save the Children report, fixed gender roles and social expectations have affected the lives of around 575 million girls in developing states, deprived them of their right to education, and limited their career opportunities. Not to speak of the third world, women face social discrimination even in the most developed states due to fixed gender roles and social expectations. According to The Economist report, women in Europe face a double burden due to fixed gender roles and societal expectations which decrease their efficiency at the workplace as they are expected to perform household and office work. This creates work-family conflict and leads to women sacrificing their careers for the sake of their families. This reflects that women face social inequalities due to discriminatory social expectations and fixed gender roles, making feminism a global issue, not merely a third-world problem.

Apart from this, women face gender-based violence everywhere in the world, irrespective of the level of development attained by the state. Even the most developed states appear helpless to curb this menace. Gender-based violence, including harassment, domestic violence, sexual molestation, and emotional abuse, which is directed against women, undermines women’s capacity and lowers their confidence and self-esteem making them internalize patriarchal norms and values. Women even face online violence and cyber-harassment through trolling, cyberstalking, cat-fishing, and doing, highlighting that women are not safe anywhere, whether in the real world or the virtual world. According to UNFPA, roughly every one-in-three women have experienced violence and abuse in the developing world. The Nirbhaya Gang Rape Case of Dehli is a glaring example that women face the worst form of violence that even cost them their lives. Furthermore, the developed world also witnesses heinous crimes against women. According to Amnesty International, more than 35% of women in the USA have experienced rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner. In addition to this, Sarah Everhard’s rape and brutal murder at the hands of the British Police Officer have shaken the trust of women in the Criminal Justice System of England and highlighted the fact that women are in danger even from those appointed for their safety. This reflects that violence against women knows no national boundaries, thereby making feminism a global concern, not merely a third-world issue.

Moreover, early marriages of girls dash their hopes of getting an education and having an independent life. It hypnotizes them in the deep ditch of patriarchy and inequality, where freedom is complicated and sometimes impossible to achieve. This social injustice against women is prevalent worldwide and knows no national boundaries. According to Human Rights Watch report, the underage marriage of girls ends their education, exposes them to domestic violence and grave health-related issues due to early pregnancies, and traps them in the vicious cycle of poverty in developing countries. It is because most families in developing countries marry out their daughters to get bride money and alleviate the extra burden on the family in the form of their daughters’ expenses and divert those resources towards the education and costs of their sons that are considered as family assets. This social injustice against women is prevalent not only in developing states but also in developed ones. According to the report published in Unchained At Last, nearly 300,000 teen girls, with a few as young as ten, were married legally in the USA between 2015 and 2020. It is disturbing that the so-called champion of women’s rights has child marriage lawful in 46 of its states. This reflects that gender inequality and patriarchy are deeply rooted in global societies, thereby making feminism a global issue, not merely a concern of the third world.

Having discussed the oppression, suppression, and discrimination women face in all aspects of social, political, and economic life, it has become evident that no state in the world has succeeded in curbing the scourge of discrimination against women and attaining gender equality in all domains of life. It has highlighted that feminism, a struggle for women’s rights and equality, is a global concern and is not related to the level of development attained by the states. Even in the developed states, women suffer from the worst of gender-based violence and discrimination. Even state laws sometimes provide legal cover to the perpetrators, making women more vulnerable to abuse. This reflects that gender inequality rooted in patriarchy is prevalent worldwide, making feminism a global concern, not merely a third-world issue.

In a nutshell, women face inequalities and discrimination in all social, political, and economic aspects. They face political discrimination as they are underrepresented in the political parties and underrepresented in the decision-making structures throughout the world. Also, their participation is discouraged in the electoral process as their votes are considered less valuable. Additionally, women face wage disparity, a glass ceiling that hurdles their mobility to upper hierarchies, unequal access to economic resources, and a lack of job opportunities available to women. Furthermore, women experience social injustice due to fixed gender roles and societal expectations, gender-based violence, and underage girls’ marriages. All these factors reflect that the scourge of inequality and discrimination against women is ravaging the entire world, making feminism a global concern, not merely a third-world issue.

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Feminism is Not Really a Third-World Issue Essay

I. introduction.

Feminism is a social, political, and cultural movement that aims to promote equality between men and women. It seeks to challenge and eliminate discrimination, oppression, and inequality faced by women in all aspects of life.

Feminism is important because it works towards creating a society where all genders have equal opportunities, rights, and privileges. It is crucial in the fight against gender-based violence, discrimination, and inequality. Feminism affects not only women but society as a whole. It is important because it addresses the systematic oppression and discrimination that women face on a daily basis. Furthermore, it works towards creating a more equal and just world for everyone. By advocating for women’s rights, feminism also seeks to challenge and change harmful social norms and beliefs. It challenges beliefs that perpetuate gender inequality.

Thesis statement : Feminism is not just a third-world issue, but a global issue that affects women everywhere, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status.

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II. Feminism in the Third World

The term “ Third World ” is a political and economic classification we use to describe countries that are less developed. It can be economically, politically, and socially compared to first and second-world countries. Examples of third-world countries include Ethiopia, Haiti, Afghanistan, and many others.

Women in the third world face a multitude of challenges that stem from poverty, lack of education, cultural norms, and political instability. These challenges include:

1. Lack of education and economic opportunities:

Women in the third world often face significant barriers to education and employment. It limits their opportunities for personal and economic growth. In many rural communities, girls may be pulled out of school early to help with household chores or to be married off. It makes them deprived of the opportunity to receive an education. Additionally, women may be denied access to credit and other financial resources. It makes it difficult for them to start businesses or support their families. These challenges further increase the cycle of poverty and inequality for women in the third world.

Its example can be seen in Afghanistan . Here, recently, the Taliban government banned women from universities amid condemnation.

2. Patriarchy and cultural norms that restrict women’s rights:

In many third-world countries, cultural norms and traditions perpetuate patriarchal values. They cause often restrict women’s rights and opportunities. In some societies, women are not allowed to own property or inherit their family’s assets. In addition, women may be expected to fulfill traditional gender roles. These roles are being responsible for household chores and childrearing. Moreover, these roles can limit their ability to participate in the workforce and engage in other aspects of public life.

For instance, in India , despite being one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, women continue to face significant barriers to equality. Patriarchal cultural norms often restrict women’s opportunities for education and employment. Many women also face violence and abuse.

3. Violence against women:

Women in the third world face high levels of violence and abuse, including sexual violence, domestic violence, and human trafficking. These forms of violence have a devastating impact on women’s physical and mental well-being. It also restricts their ability to participate in society and make decisions about their own lives.

Example : In Ethiopia , women are subjected to high levels of domestic violence and sexual abuse. It includes rape and forced marriage. Despite efforts by the government and advocacy organizations to address the issue, these forms of violence remain widespread.

4. Women’s limited political representation:

Women are often underrepresented in politics and decision-making processes. It limits their ability to advocate for their rights and represent their communities. This lack of representation is often due to cultural norms and traditions that perpetuate patriarchal values. As a result, women are not able to fully participate in the political process. They are denied the ability to shape policies and laws that affect their lives and communities.

Example : In Bangladesh , despite being one of the largest democracies in the world, women are underrepresented in politics and decision-making processes. Women hold only a small percentage of elected positions at the national and local levels and face significant barriers to participating in politics.

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III. Feminism in Developed Countries

Despite significant progress in recent decades, women in developed countries still face many challenges to equality and representation. While women have made gains in education and employment, they continue to face gender pay gaps, discrimination in the workplace, and limited representation in leadership positions.

1. Gender Pay Gap:

Women in developed countries often earn less than their male counterparts, even in similar jobs and with similar levels of education. This persistent pay gap contributes to inequality and limits women’s ability to support themselves and their families.

2. Discrimination in the Workplace:

Women in developed countries often face discrimination in the workplace, including limited opportunities for advancement and a lack of flexibility in work schedules. This can make it difficult for women to balance work and family responsibilities, further perpetuating the cycle of inequality.

3. Limited Representation in Leadership Positions:

Despite significant progress in recent decades, women are still underrepresented in leadership positions in many developed countries. This includes a lack of representation in politics, business, and other areas of public life. This lack of representation limits women’s ability to advocate for their rights and shape policies that affect their lives and communities.

Example 1 : In the United States , women still face wage gaps, unequal representation in leadership positions, and limited access to affordable healthcare and reproductive services. Despite progress in recent years, women continue to face significant barriers to equality and must fight to maintain their rights and protections.

Example 2 : In Europe , women continue to face challenges such as a lack of affordable child care, gender-based violence, and unequal representation in leadership positions. Women’s rights activists in Europe continue to push for policies that promote equality and address these ongoing challenges.

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IV. Feminism as a Global Issue

Despite regional differences in challenges and barriers, feminism is a global issue that affects women across the world. Women everywhere face discrimination, violence, and limited opportunities. And, we can only make progress through a collective and collaborative effort

In order to achieve true equality for women, it is important for the international community to recognize and address the issues that women face globally. They should support and amplify the voices of women’s rights activists and organizations working to promote equality. This can involve advocacy and awareness campaigns, international agreements and policies, and support for grassroots organizations and initiatives.

By working together and recognizing the interconnected nature of women’s rights, we can ensure that progress is made toward equality for all women. It should happen regardless of where they live in the world. The fight for feminism and women’s rights is a global effort. It requires the collective efforts of individuals, organizations, and governments to make real and lasting change.

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V. Conclusion

In conclusion, Feminism is a crucial issue that affects women globally, regardless of where they live in the world. Women in the third world face unique challenges. This includes limited access to education and economic opportunities, patriarchal cultural norms, and high levels of violence and abuse. However, women in developed countries also face ongoing barriers to equality and must fight to maintain their rights and protections.

The fight for feminism is not just a third-world issue, but a global one that requires the collective efforts of individuals, organizations, and governments to make real and lasting change. By recognizing the interconnected nature of women’s rights, and supporting and amplifying the voices of women’s rights activists, we can work together to achieve true equality for all women.

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The Case Against Contemporary Feminism

By Jia Tolentino

It’s the same with feminism as it is with women in general: there are always, seemingly, infinite ways to fail. On the one hand, feminism has never been more widely proclaimed or marketable than it is now. On the other hand, its last ten years of mainstream prominence and acceptability culminated in the election of President Donald Trump. (The Times published an essay at the end of December under the headline “ Feminism Lost. Now What? ”) Since November 9th, the two main arguments against contemporary feminism have emerged in near-exact opposition to each other: either feminism has become too strict an ideology or it has softened to the point of uselessness. On one side, there is, for instance, Kellyanne Conway, who, in her apparent dislike of words that denote principles, has labelled herself a “post-feminist.” Among those on the other side is the writer Jessa Crispin, who believes that the push to make feminism universally palatable has negated the meaning of the ideology writ large.

Crispin has written a new book-length polemic on the subject, called “Why I Am Not a Feminist,” in which she offers definitions of feminism that are considerably more barbed than the earnest, cheeky slogans that have become de rigueur—“The future is female,” for example, as Hillary Clinton  declared  in her first video statement since the election, or “Girls just want to have fun-damental rights,” or “Feminism is the radical notion that women are people.” The dissidence at the root of these catchphrases has been obscured by their ubiquity on tote bags and T-shirts, and for Crispin the decline of feminism is visible in how easy the label is to claim. Feminism, she tells us, has become a self-serving brand popularized by C.E.O.s and beauty companies, a “fight to allow women to participate equally in the oppression of the powerless and the poor.” It’s a “narcissistic reflexive thought process: I define myself as feminist and so everything I do is a feminist act.” It’s an “attack dog posing as a kitten,” and—in what might be Crispin’s most biting entry—a “decade-long conversation about which television show is a good television show and which television show is a bad show.”

Crispin is the founder of Bookslut , a literary Web site that she started, in 2002, when she was a full-time employee at Planned Parenthood, in Austin, Texas. (She was ahead of the word-reclamation curve that culminated in the Slutwalk marches, which were first held in 2011.) After accumulating a modest but enthusiastic following, Crispin closed down Bookslut in 2016, with minimal ceremony. “I didn’t want to become a professional,” she told Vulture, adding, “I just don’t find American literature interesting. I find MFA culture terrible. Everyone is super-cheerful because they’re trying to sell you something, and I find it really repulsive.” Crispin is happy to take the contrarian stance, particularly within spheres that lend themselves to suppressive positivity. The point of “Why I Am Not a Feminist” isn’t really that Crispin is not a feminist; it’s that she has no interest in being a part of a club that has opened its doors and lost sight of its politics—a club that would, if she weren’t so busy disavowing it, invite Kellyanne Conway in.

The effect of the catchy title stands regardless. Crispin’s argument is bracing, and a rare counterbalance; where feminism is concerned, broad acceptability is almost always framed as an unquestioned good. “Somewhere along the way toward female liberation, it was decided that the most effective method was for feminism to become universal,” Crispin writes. And the people who decided this “forgot that for something to be universally accepted, it must become as banal, as non-threatening and ineffective as possible.” Another, and perhaps less fatalistic, way of framing the matter: feminism is a political argument of such obvious reason and power that it has been co-opted as an aesthetic and transformed into merchandise by a series of influential profiteers.

Crispin notes, accurately, that feminism’s history has been marked by a “small number of radical, heavily invested women who did the hard work of dragging women’s position forward, usually through shocking acts and words,” and that the “majority of women benefited from the work of these few, while often quickly trying to disassociate themselves from them.” Reading that second line, I immediately thought of an irksome scene in Megyn Kelly’s memoir , in which Kelly tells Sheryl Sandberg that she’s not a feminist, and Sandberg—whose entire feminist initiative is based on making the movement palatable to people like Kelly, and whose awkward accommodation of the Trump Administration should surprise no one—“passed no judgment” on Kelly’s distaste for the term. Crispin mostly focusses on younger and newer feminists, castigating them as selfish and timid, afraid of the second wave. They make Andrea Dworkin into a scapegoat, she writes; they “distance themselves from the bra-burning, hairy-armpitted bogeywomen.”

Here, and in some other places where Crispin’s argument requires her to take a precise measure of contemporary feminism, she—or this book’s production schedule—can’t quite account for the complexity of the times. From 2014 to 2016, I worked as an editor at Jezebel, a site that, when it was founded, in 2007, helped to define online feminism—and served ever afterward as a somewhat abstracted target for women who criticized contemporary feminism from the left. These critics didn’t usually recognize how quickly the center is always moving, and Crispin has the same problem. Much of what she denounces—“outrage culture,” empowerment marketing , the stranglehold that white women have on the public conversation—has already been critiqued at length by the young feminist mainstream. Her imagined Dworkin-hating dilettante, discussing the politics of bikini waxing and “giving blow jobs like it’s missionary work,” has long been passé. It’s far more common these days for young feminists to adopt a radical veneer. Lena Dunham’s newsletter sells “ Dismantle the Patriarchy ” patches; last fall, a Dior runway show included a T-shirt reading, “We Should All Be Feminists.” (The shirt is not yet on sale in the United States; it reportedly costs five hundred and fifty euros in France .) The inside threat to feminism in 2017 is less a disavowal of radical ideas than an empty co-option of radical appearances—a superficial, market-based alignment that is more likely to make a woman feel good and righteous than lead her to the political action that feminism is meant to spur.

The most vital strain of thought in “Why I Am Not a Feminist” is Crispin’s unforgiving indictment of individualism and capitalism, value systems that she argues have severely warped feminism, encouraging women to think of the movement only insofar as it leads to individual gains. We have misinterpreted the old adage that the personal is political, she writes—inflecting our personal desires and decisions with political righteousness while neatly avoiding political accountability. We may understand that “the corporations we work for poison the earth, fleece the poor, make the super rich more rich, but hey. Fuck it,” Crispin writes. “We like our apartments, we can subscribe to both Netflix and Hulu, the health insurance covers my SSRI prescription, and the white noise machine I just bought helps me sleep at night.”

That this line of argument seems like a plausible next step for contemporary feminism reflects the recent and rapid leftward turn of liberal politics. Socialism and anti-capitalism, as foils to Donald Trump’s me-first ideology, have taken an accelerated path into the mainstream. “Why I Am Not a Feminist” comes at a time when some portion of liberal women in America might be ready for a major shift—inclined, suddenly, toward a belief system that does not hallow the “markers of success in patriarchal capitalism . . . money and power,” as Crispin puts it. There is, it seems, a growing hunger for a feminism concerned more with the lives of low-income women than with the number of female C.E.O.s.

The opposing view—that feminism is not just broadly compatible with capitalism but actually served by it—has certainly enjoyed its share of prominence. This is the message that has been passed down by the vast majority of self-styled feminist role models over the past ten years: that feminism is what you call it when an individual woman gets enough money to do whatever she wants. Crispin is ruthless in dissecting this brand of feminism. It means simply buying one’s way out of oppression and then perpetuating it, she argues; it embraces the patriarchal model of happiness, which depends on “having someone else subject to your will.” Women, exploited for centuries, have grown subconsciously eager to exploit others, Crispin believes. “Once we are a part of the system and benefiting from it on the same level that men are, we won’t care, as a group, about whose turn it is to get hurt.”

A question of audience tugs at “Why I Am Not a Feminist.” It seemed, at points, as though anyone who understands the terms of Crispin’s argument would already agree with her. I also wondered how the book might land if Hillary Clinton had won—if the insufficiently radical feminism Crispin rails against had triumphed rather than absorbed a staggering blow. Instead, her book arrives at a useful and perhaps unexpected cultural inflection point: a time when political accommodation appears fruitless, and when, as Amanda Hess noted in the _Times Magazine _this week, many middle-class white women have marched in closer proximity to far-left ideas than perhaps they ever would have guessed. Exhortations to “transform culture, not just respond to it” are what many of us want to hear.

Of course, this being a polemic, there’s not much space given to how , exactly, the total disengagement with our individualist and capitalist society might be achieved. “Burn it down”—another nascent feminist slogan—is generally received as an abstract, metaphorical directive. The final chapter of Crispin’s book, titled “Where We Go From Here,” is four pages. In an earlier section of “Why I Am Not a Feminist,” Crispin rails against feminist flippancy toward men, writing, “It is always easier to find your sense of value by demeaning another’s value. It is easier to define yourself as ‘not that,’ rather than do an actual accounting of your own qualities and put them on the scale.” I agree.

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Essay on Feminism

500 words essay on feminism.

Feminism is a social and political movement that advocates for the rights of women on the grounds of equality of sexes. It does not deny the biological differences between the sexes but demands equality in opportunities. It covers everything from social and political to economic arenas. In fact, feminist campaigns have been a crucial part of history in women empowerment. The feminist campaigns of the twentieth century made the right to vote, public property, work and education possible. Thus, an essay on feminism will discuss its importance and impact.

Importance of Feminism

Feminism is not just important for women but for every sex, gender, caste, creed and more. It empowers the people and society as a whole. A very common misconception is that only women can be feminists.

It is absolutely wrong but feminism does not just benefit women. It strives for equality of the sexes, not the superiority of women. Feminism takes the gender roles which have been around for many years and tries to deconstruct them.

This allows people to live freely and empower lives without getting tied down by traditional restrictions. In other words, it benefits women as well as men. For instance, while it advocates that women must be free to earn it also advocates that why should men be the sole breadwinner of the family? It tries to give freedom to all.

Most importantly, it is essential for young people to get involved in the feminist movement. This way, we can achieve faster results. It is no less than a dream to live in a world full of equality.

Thus, we must all look at our own cultures and communities for making this dream a reality. We have not yet reached the result but we are on the journey, so we must continue on this mission to achieve successful results.

Impact of Feminism

Feminism has had a life-changing impact on everyone, especially women. If we look at history, we see that it is what gave women the right to vote. It was no small feat but was achieved successfully by women.

Further, if we look at modern feminism, we see how feminism involves in life-altering campaigns. For instance, campaigns that support the abortion of unwanted pregnancy and reproductive rights allow women to have freedom of choice.

Moreover, feminism constantly questions patriarchy and strives to renounce gender roles. It allows men to be whoever they wish to be without getting judged. It is not taboo for men to cry anymore because they must be allowed to express themselves freely.

Similarly, it also helps the LGBTQ community greatly as it advocates for their right too. Feminism gives a place for everyone and it is best to practice intersectional feminism to understand everyone’s struggle.

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Conclusion of the Essay on Feminism

The key message of feminism must be to highlight the choice in bringing personal meaning to feminism. It is to recognize other’s right for doing the same thing. The sad part is that despite feminism being a strong movement, there are still parts of the world where inequality and exploitation of women take places. Thus, we must all try to practice intersectional feminism.

FAQ of Essay on Feminism

Question 1: What are feminist beliefs?

Answer 1: Feminist beliefs are the desire for equality between the sexes. It is the belief that men and women must have equal rights and opportunities. Thus, it covers everything from social and political to economic equality.

Question 2: What started feminism?

Answer 2: The first wave of feminism occurred in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It emerged out of an environment of urban industrialism and liberal, socialist politics. This wave aimed to open up new doors for women with a focus on suffrage.

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Gender equality: A popular slogan: CSS Essay 2021

Table of Contents

Thesis statement

While gender equality is a popular slogan, its achievement requires addressing deep-rooted societal norms, systemic barriers, and cultural biases.

Introduction

Gender equality has been a rallying cry for social justice movements around the world. It is a concept that resonates with people across cultures and generations, representing a vision of a fair and equitable society. However, the achievement of gender equality is far from simple. It requires addressing deep-rooted societal norms, systemic barriers, and cultural biases that perpetuate gender disparities. In this essay we explore the complexities of gender equality, highlighting the challenges faced and the importance of its realization.

Exposition: Understanding Gender Equality

Gender equality refers to the equal rights, opportunities, and treatment of individuals, regardless of their gender identity. It encompasses the goal of eradicating gender-based discrimination and creating a society where everyone has equal access to resources, power, and decision-making. While the concept of gender equality has gained traction in recent decades, progress has been uneven across regions and sectors.

Description: Gender Disparities and Inequality

To comprehend the significance of gender equality, it is essential to recognize the existing gender disparities and inequalities that persist in various domains.

The gender pay gap remains a prominent issue globally. Statistics reveal that women, on average, earn less than their male counterparts for comparable work. Factors such as occupational segregation, stereotypes, and limited access to higher-paying positions contribute to this gap.

Moreover, women continue to be underrepresented in leadership roles in both the public and private sectors. Structural barriers, biased promotion practices, and lack of representation perpetuate gender disparities in decision-making processes and impede progress toward equality.

Gender-based violence and discrimination pose additional challenges. Women and girls disproportionately face various forms of violence, including domestic violence, sexual assault, and harassment. Discriminatory practices in education, employment, and healthcare limit their opportunities and hinder their full participation in society.

Argumentation: Factors Hindering Gender Equality

The achievement of gender equality is hindered by several factors deeply ingrained in society.

Societal norms and cultural biases perpetuate gender stereotypes and reinforce traditional gender roles. These norms and biases shape expectations and social pressures that limit individual choices and opportunities. The perception that certain professions or roles are better suited for one gender over another creates barriers and restricts career options.

Systemic barriers and institutionalized discrimination also contribute to gender inequality. The absence of policies that support work-life balance, such as affordable childcare and parental leave, disproportionately affects women’s career progression. Biased hiring and promotion practices based on gender further exacerbate disparities and hinder equal opportunities.

Furthermore, limited access to education and healthcare continues to impede gender equality. Gender gaps in education, particularly in developing countries, deny girls the opportunity to develop their full potential. Inadequate healthcare services and cultural taboos surrounding women’s health issues further restrict their well-being and overall empowerment.

Argumentation: The Importance of Gender Equality

Gender equality is not merely a slogan; it is essential for social, economic, and cultural progress.

From an economic standpoint, closing the gender pay gap and promoting gender equality in the workforce contribute to economic growth and development. When women have equal access to employment opportunities, the talent pool expands, driving innovation and productivity. Furthermore, diverse and inclusive workplaces foster creativity, problem-solving, and better decision-making.

Beyond economic benefits, gender equality is crucial for social justice and human rights. It challenges harmful gender norms and stereotypes, promoting a more inclusive and tolerant society. By ensuring equal rights and opportunities for all individuals, regardless of their gender, we create a more just and equitable world.

Narration: Progress and Promising Initiatives

While challenges persist, there have been significant strides toward gender equality. Legislative reforms and policy changes have played a crucial role in advancing gender equality. Examples include the introduction of laws to combat gender-based violence, promote pay equity, and establish quotas for women’s representation in political and corporate spheres. International agreements, such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, provide a framework for action and accountability.

Grassroots movements and advocacy have also been instrumental in driving change. Campaigns like the #MeToo movement and global initiatives for women’s rights have shed light on gender-based violence, sparked conversations, and mobilized communities. These movements have raised awareness, challenged societal norms, and pushed for policy reforms, fostering a more inclusive and equal society.

Gender equality remains an ongoing struggle that requires collective efforts. While it may be a popular slogan, achieving true gender equality demands addressing deep-rooted societal norms, systemic barriers, and cultural biases. By acknowledging the persistent gender disparities, advocating for policy changes, challenging stereotypes, and promoting inclusive practices, we can pave the way for a more equitable and just future. Let us work together to turn the slogan of gender equality into a lived reality for all individuals, regardless of their gender identity.

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Gender Equality in Pakistan and the Rise of Feminism

Gender equality and the rise of feminism in Pakistan is an intricacie topic, with multiple cultural, social, and political influences at work to shape this subject matter. While substantial strides have been taken toward equality over recent years, true equality still requires considerable work on our part.

Strong patriarchal culture:

One of the main obstacles to gender equality in Pakistan is its long-standing patriarchal culture, which places value on men over women and reinforces traditional gender roles that limit opportunities available to women. Furthermore, religious and social customs such as purdah require women to cover themselves up when in public spaces such as mosques. This further marginalises women.

Feminism: In spite of these challenges, there has been an emerging movement in Pakistan to promote gender equality and the rights of women – often referred to as “feminism.” One main goal of this movement is breaking down traditional gender roles that limit opportunities available to women while also creating equal access to education, employment and political participation for them all.

Pakistan’s feminist movement has achieved many significant accomplishments over time, most notable of which being its widespread achievements.

One of the greatest achievements of Pakistan’s feminist movement has been an increase in female workforce participation rates, according to World Bank estimates. Accordingly, female labor force participation rates increased from 24% in 1990 to 34% by 2020 – still low compared with many other countries but an important step for Pakistani women.

Increased recognition and acceptance of women’s rights have contributed to greater understanding and awareness surrounding the matter.

Feminist activism in Pakistan has also helped raise awareness and acceptance of women’s rights. For example, in 2016 Pakistan passed the “Protection of Women Against Violence Act”, criminalizing domestic abuse while providing victims protection and support services.

Has Pakistan achieved gender equality?

Many women still face discrimination and violence on a daily basis, being denied education and employment opportunities and facing social and cultural barriers that need to be broken down in order to create an equitable society.

Gender equality and the rise of feminism in Pakistan is a complicated matter, affected by various cultural, social, and political influences. Although progress has been made over recent years, full equality still requires much work. Feminist movements in Pakistan have played an instrumental role in advocating for gender equality and women’s rights – they continue to act as agents of change today.

Pakistan’s economy is facing numerous challenges, such as high inflation, large trade deficits and an ever-widening budget deficit. One way to address these obstacles and promote economic growth would be increasing participation of women in the workforce – they make up half of population after all and their presence could make a dramatic difference to Pakistan’s economic development.

Increased participation by women in the workforce

First and foremost, expanding women’s participation in the workforce can contribute to economic expansion. When women can work and earn a living they can significantly enhance the economy through increased productivity and consumption; moreover, women tend to invest more in their families and communities which further fuels economic expansion.

Address issues of poverty and inequality

Second, more women in the workforce can help address issues of poverty and inequality. Women often face discrimination and barriers to education and employment that keep them living in poverty. Increasing women’s participation can reduce poverty while simultaneously creating greater equality.

Thirdly, increasing women’s participation in the workforce can also help improve Pakistan’s balance of trade. More women entering the labor force will help contribute to increasing exports. While decreasing imports; this can reduce its trade deficit and improve its balance of payments.

Increased female employment can help strengthen a nation’s overall economic stability. When women can work and earn an income to support themselves and their families independently of government assistance. It reduces government burden as well as improving social stability.

Pakistan’s economy is facing several significant hurdles.

One way of meeting these challenges is increasing female participation in the workforce. Since women make up half of society and can have a dramatic effect on economic performance by driving economic growth. Addressing poverty and inequality issues. Improving balance of trade relations and stabilizing economies.

Pakistan has taken several steps to provide women with more active roles in both society and the workforce. Some key initiatives for women include:

Education: The government has made efforts to increase access to education for girls by building schools in rural areas and offering scholarships.

Legal Reforms: The government has passed several laws designed to safeguard women’s rights. Such as the “Protection of Women against Violence Act” and “Prevention of Anti-Women Practices Act”.

Economic Empowerment: To promote women’s economic empowerment, several initiatives have been undertaken by the government. For instance, they include “Benazir Income Support Program”. Which offers cash transfers to low-income families; and the “Prime Minister’s Youth Training Program”, which offers women training and skills development opportunities.

Political Participation: The government has taken several steps to increase women’s involvement in politics. Such as reserving seats for them in both the National Assembly and Provincial Assemblies and encouraging more of them to run for office.

Social Change: The government has undertaken various campaigns designed to change societal attitudes toward women and advance gender equality. Such as the “Aurat March” and Pink Taxi service for exclusively female customers.

Healthcare: The government has taken several steps to improve healthcare services for women and reduce maternal mortality rates. Such as the “Lady Health Worker Program” and the “Mother and Child Health Program”.

Support to Women Working:

The government has taken measures to assist women entering the workforce. Such as providing childcare facilities in workplace settings and encouraging employers to adopt flexible working hours. Additionally, women-led businesses have been actively promoted.

Noteworthy is the fact that women in Pakistan still face many barriers in attaining true equality. And many initiatives to support women have met resistance in terms of implementation and enforcement. Furthermore, some rights activists accuse the Government of discrimination, harassment and violence against women.

Gender equality and the rise of feminism in Pakistan is an intricate topic influenced by various cultural, social and political forces. Feminism in Pakistan has played a central role in advocating for gender equality. And the rights of women; its movement remains an important force for change today. Additionally, Pakistan’s Government has taken several steps to give women more active roles within its workforce and society. Such as providing more access to education; passing laws protecting these rights; increasing economic empowerment programs. Expanding political participation opportunities for women and launching social change campaigns as well as improving healthcare services provided for working women. Such as increasing education access; passing laws protecting rights of women while improving healthcare services support working women alike.

However, much remains to be done before women in Pakistan can achieve true equality. And many initiatives have faced difficulties in implementation and enforcement. Furthermore, the Government is facing criticism from women rights activists. Who contend they are not doing enough to empower women; more needs to be done to address systemic issues of discrimination, harassment and violence against them.

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CSS-2019 Essay (Key Domains) by: NICS

Table of Contents

Socio-Religious Issues

Rights of Minorities and Elimination of Extremism Gender based Violence and Role of Feminism Wave The Standardized System of Education and Human Resource Development

Economic Growth vs Human Resource Development Economic Crisis of Pakistan and Opportunities in CPEC, Saudi-Pak Cooperation, Pak-Iran Bilateral Relations Economics Crisis vs Development of Key Economics Sectors

Democracy vs Performance of Democratic Institution (Media, Judiciary, Accountability Bureaus) Rule of Law vs Judicial Activism Good Governance vs Intra-State Conflicts Inter-Provincial Disharmony vs National Finance Commission & Council of Common Interests

International Issues

Protectionism vs Globalization Populism vs Nation State System Middle East Crisis and Role of OIC, UNO Peace Process in South Asia and Role of USA, China, SAARC & ASEAN

The Selective Domains for Essay Preparation  Ace the Exam in Smart way  ? ? Essay & Precis Special Crash Will start from 1st November 2018 For Details Please contact at 03351141772

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