I came into blogging quite accidentally. Before that, I barely ever used the word, “Feminism”. One could say that I had a very narrow viewpoint. For me, feminism was comprised by women who practically wore it on their sleeves - those who were out there fighting for women rights and equality. I had never bothered or even cared to look deep into it because I never felt the need for it.
But I began to see things differently once I started blogging, and even more when I started taking it seriously. Starting from causal posts, I gradually moved on to more important topics. Reading the blogs of other women inspired me to research and write on social stigmas such as, child marriages, domestic violence, live-in relationships, the plight of Afghani women, homosexuality in India, etc.
Blogging compelled me to think about issues and incidents that never had an effect on my personal life, but meant a great deal to my country and its people. Being a woman, writing and discussing the status of women in the Indian society came naturally. And somewhere along the journey, I was tagged as a feminist writer. Honestly, I have no complaints or regrets over this. Feminism has given me a separate identity, something that many take ages to create.
The interpretation of feminism differs from woman to woman, society to society and country to country. In my opinion, feminism is something very personal, some are comfortable in expressing it, whereas some are happy with just containing it within themselves. It is all about making the best possible use of the rights and choices available. It is about striving to achieve the impossible; it’s about using resources to create some breathable space in our society. And it’s everything to do with freedom.
I am not the sort to accept everything that is thrown at me in the name of feminism. I am aware of incidents of women and support groups, who exploit the rights and benefits given to them by society & the government and go about preaching anti-men sentiments. But one needs to understand that these women in no-way represent feminism or feminist values and they more aptly fall under the category of - “sexist”. It is simply the case of separating the bad apples from the good ones.
Blogging not only enhanced and nurtured my views on feminism but it also made me use these very views in a constructive form and put them in action. For example, creating awareness of the workers’ plight in India through my post on Akbarally’s Workers Dispute. If the same post was written by a male blogger then he would have been called an activist, but here I am being identified as a feminist. Doesn’t this fall on the lines of double standards adopted by certain members of our freethinking society?
Feminists come in all different shapes, colors and sizes and genders! I know men who support and fight for women’s causes. To me they are feminists too. Feminism for me boils down to just two basic necessities; being a good human being and the right to use my freedom as and when I choose. A good humanist is also a good feminist. The two terms can be interchangeable to a great degree.
And therefore I can proudly claim that I am a Feminist.
* This write-up was written especially for DesiPundit’s 1st Anniversary, needless to say, not many were happy with the views.
BY: Saakshi O. Juneja
But I began to see things differently once I started blogging, and even more when I started taking it seriously. Starting from causal posts, I gradually moved on to more important topics. Reading the blogs of other women inspired me to research and write on social stigmas such as, child marriages, domestic violence, live-in relationships, the plight of Afghani women, homosexuality in India, etc.
Blogging compelled me to think about issues and incidents that never had an effect on my personal life, but meant a great deal to my country and its people. Being a woman, writing and discussing the status of women in the Indian society came naturally. And somewhere along the journey, I was tagged as a feminist writer. Honestly, I have no complaints or regrets over this. Feminism has given me a separate identity, something that many take ages to create.
The interpretation of feminism differs from woman to woman, society to society and country to country. In my opinion, feminism is something very personal, some are comfortable in expressing it, whereas some are happy with just containing it within themselves. It is all about making the best possible use of the rights and choices available. It is about striving to achieve the impossible; it’s about using resources to create some breathable space in our society. And it’s everything to do with freedom.
I am not the sort to accept everything that is thrown at me in the name of feminism. I am aware of incidents of women and support groups, who exploit the rights and benefits given to them by society & the government and go about preaching anti-men sentiments. But one needs to understand that these women in no-way represent feminism or feminist values and they more aptly fall under the category of - “sexist”. It is simply the case of separating the bad apples from the good ones.
Blogging not only enhanced and nurtured my views on feminism but it also made me use these very views in a constructive form and put them in action. For example, creating awareness of the workers’ plight in India through my post on Akbarally’s Workers Dispute. If the same post was written by a male blogger then he would have been called an activist, but here I am being identified as a feminist. Doesn’t this fall on the lines of double standards adopted by certain members of our freethinking society?
Feminists come in all different shapes, colors and sizes and genders! I know men who support and fight for women’s causes. To me they are feminists too. Feminism for me boils down to just two basic necessities; being a good human being and the right to use my freedom as and when I choose. A good humanist is also a good feminist. The two terms can be interchangeable to a great degree.
And therefore I can proudly claim that I am a Feminist.
* This write-up was written especially for DesiPundit’s 1st Anniversary, needless to say, not many were happy with the views.
BY: Saakshi O. Juneja
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