Note: The following article contains discussion of sexual misconduct and female genital mutilation, which some readers may find upsetting.

As I'm sure many of us know, International Womens’ Day is celebrated each year on March 8th. And whilst many support feminism and the reasons behind it, some are still unsure of what feminism is actually trying to achieve, or over the years have been told that feminism is bad. 

So in this article, we will be busting 5 rigid myths and stereotypes that people hold about feminism.

1. Feminism is trying to make women superior to men

No, feminism is about fighting for equality, not to be superior to men. It’s fighting the war against sexism, female genital mutilation (FGM), the emancipation of women and countless other subjects. According to UN Women, two thirds of illiterate people worldwide  are women, which also has a knock-on effect leading to more forced labour and lives in poverty. The ideal world wouldn’t be women being superior to men, it would be women having equal rights and opportunities, such as women have the same rights to education.

2. Feminists are only women 

On the contrary, men can be feminists too, to be a feminist you don’t have to be womanly in any shape or form, you just agree with the simple fact that women all around the world deserve equality. 

Feminism isn’t all about issues for women, there is also the side of feminism that Emma Watson talked about in her 2014 gender equality speech that men shouldn’t have to feel like they have to bottle things up, or never cry, or never express their emotions as it is supposedly seen as weak. 

Men need to know that it is completely fine to cry, and express emotions and be vulnerable sometimes, it’s part of what makes us all human. This shows that feminism isn’t just for women  and many  gender stereotype problems are covered in the bracket of feminism.

3. Feminists hate men

I’m sure that many of you have seen your fair share of crazy internet man-haters, so I'd like to make something clear. Feminists don’t hate men, and we as a society need to know the difference between a man-hater and a feminist. 

4. Feminists put down housewives, and are all career-focused

Wrong. Feminists can be career women, stay at home mums, house wives - jobs don’t affect what people believe in. If someone puts someone else down for the way they work or live, that isn’t standing up for women's rights, that is quite frankly just rude and shouldn’t be tolerated. 

5. Feminism has come far enough 

In England, less than 1 percent of rapists get put behind bars, this can be due to the victim being too scared to come forward, and if and when they finally do, many don’t believe them or there isn’t enough evidence, save for the victim’s trauma.  Rape obviously isn’t just a problem for women, but according to Open Access Government over 97% of women have been  harassed, assaulted or raped, and 96 percent haven't reported situations because they believe it wouldn't change anything.

Additional, Equality Now cites that female genital mutilation is still carried out across 92 countries in the world, and there is still the gender pay gap that affects women worldwide. There are many problems that feminism is trying to solve, and this definitely hasn’t come far enough.

Overall, it is crucial to remember that feminism shouldn’t be made fun of because women deserve the same income and opportunities as men; afterall  to quote Emma Watson: “How can we save the world if only half of it is invited to the conversation?” 

If you have been affected by the issues raised in this article, you can access guidance and support from Rape Crisis England and Wales via their website (www.rapecrisis.org.uk) or by calling the National Rape Crisis Helpline (0808 802 9999).

Additionally, the Foundation for Women's Health, Research and Development (FORWARD) is an African women-led women's rights organisation who can provide support, advice and information for those affected by female genital mutilation. Visit forwarduk.org.uk or call 0208 960 4000.

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Written by Lauren Howe