Got Feminism?

 

“A woman is like a tea bag—you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water”—Eleanor Roosevelt

I have recently been inspired by a campaign launched by the National Council of Women of New Zealand called the ‘Who Needs Feminism?’ campaign . This campaign wants people to speak out about why they need feminism, hoping to bring its importance into the spotlight.

Staying on topic, I just read an article from the Washington Post, which quite frankly, left me feeling upset. The title of the article pretty much explains it all: Women earn 91 cents for every dollar men earn–if you control for life choices. Considering the enormous advances our nation has made in the years in technology and medicine, it’s sad and astonishing to know that discrimination still exists.  So we can create weapons and find treatments for various diseases, but we can’t pay women and men equally for equal work? This seems ridiculous am I right?

But this is no laughing matter; it says something very important about our society. Women are still valued less than men. There is still a voice out there that says men are stronger, men are the leaders, men are smarter, men are more deserving, a voice that is meant to maintain men’s position at the top and to prevent women from threatening that position. How will women ever reach their full potential if we don’t shut this voice up?

Now you might think factors such as maternity leave and the fact that women are more apt to enter lower-paying fields and professions due to societal norms may explain the gender gap. But, according to the article, a little less than half of the gender gap is unaccounted for after these factors are considered.

One particular piece of information from the article infuriated me, as it was very relevant to myself. It claimed that studies have found that women earn five percent less than men one year after college graduation.

I must be honest, learning this sent me over the top. Women have a right to earn equal pay for equal work. There are no ifs or buts about it. I have worked hard since day one in kindergarten and have done everything in my power to give myself the best opportunities in life so that I can reach my full potential. Now if I can’t reach my full potential simply due to the fact that I am a woman—now that is completely messed up. I wish to be judged by my character and efforts and not my gender. This is why I need feminism.

Why do you need feminism?