Are ‘female equality’ and ‘feminism’ the same thing?
Meghan Markle, the new Duchess of Sussex, has outlined her feminist credentials and commitment to championing gender equality on the British monarchy’s website. She says, “I am proud to be a woman and a feminist,” referencing a line from a 2015 speech she gave at a United Nations event.
“These early experiences helped to shape her lifelong commitment to causes such as social justice and women’s empowerment,” the website says.
Her official profile on the palace website describes her trajectory of activism and humanitarian work, listing her achievements in those areas.
Feminism is the belief that women should be allowed the same rights, power and opportunities as men and be treated in the same way.
In a world where gender pay gaps are being highlighted, rape culture exists and sexism can be felt in all walks of life, it can feel like women’s voices are still being silenced every day.
There are millions who are speaking out in the name of feminism and fighting for equality for all men and women.
Here are some inspiring feminist quotes?
Helen Mirren
“I think every woman in our culture is a feminist. They may refuse to articulate it, but if you were to take any woman back 40 years and say, ‘Is this a world you want to live in?’, they would say ‘No.’”
Maya Angelou
“I’m a feminist. I’ve been a female for a long time now. It’d be stupid not to be on my own side.”
Emmeline Pankhurst
“We have to free half of the human race, the women, so that they can help to free the other half.”
Angelina Jolie
“Women are still treated as secondary issues. It is still far too easy and accepted for leaders to ignore uncomfortable truths. Women, we know, are the first to be affected by war, and the last to be taken into account when it ends.”
From the Time’s Up movement to people fighting against sex trafficking and for equal representation in government and in boardrooms, feminism can look like many things to different people.
So are female equality and feminism the same thing? What are your views? Are you a feminist? Can a man be a feminist?
