“IT'S 2020! WHY ARE WE ARE STILL ‘WONDERING' IF WE ARE FEMINISTS?”

Our guest columnist sheds light on the real meaning of feminism, and why we all, unequivocally, need to put our weight behind it.

- Shaili Chopra

“I’ve always thought of myself a feminist. I’ve known no other way. Even if the word ‘feminism’ entered my lexicon late in life, I’ve believed in it since the time I’ve recognised that women have to fight for their rightful place in the world.

In a country like India, you’ve got to be bold and fearless to start conversations on feminism, because of the intensely patriarchal society we’ve been raised in. How many of us have been told, repeatedly, to not raise our voices, to sit daintily, be coy, to not roll our eyes, or not talk back?! Being able to express your opinion is a privilege of a few. As is being able to say no.

Over the course of my career, as I spent time speaking to thousands of women, it was evident that a majority of Indian women are forced to garb their real self, and patriarchy came packaged in everyday things. As a result, most women didn’t have a voice.