Why feminism still maters in 21st century. | Muslima Agzamhodjaeva | TEDxYouth@TKA

Feminism in the 21st Century: Why It Still Matters

Key Concepts:

• Feminism: Fighting for equality in general, women's rights, equal opportunities, equal salaries, and equal job offers.
• Gender Pay Gap: Unequal pay for the same or similar work based on gender.
• Reproductive Rights: The right of women to make decisions about their bodies, including abortion and pregnancy.
• Home Labor: Unpaid work done in the home, often undervalued by society.
• Education Inequality: Disparities in access to and quality of education based on gender.
• Domestic Abuse: Violence or mistreatment within a domestic setting.
• Patriarchy: A system of society or government in which men hold the power and women are largely excluded from it.

1. Misconceptions About Feminism:

• Many people misunderstand feminism, associating it with "unshaved armpits," splitting bills 50/50, or hating men.
• Feminism is not about physical equality, as men and women are biologically different. Men can lift heavy things, while women can give birth and multitask.
• The core of feminism is fighting for equality in general, women's rights, equal opportunities, equal salaries, and equal job offers.

2. Historical Erasure of Women:

• History often erases women's contributions, reinforcing patriarchy.
• Example: Aristotle's philosophy teacher was a woman, but this fact is not widely known.
• Women's roles in major events are frequently forgotten.
• Example: Rosalind Franklin contributed to the discovery of DNA's spiral structure, but her name was lost when men received the credit.
• Women had to publish under male pseudonyms to be acknowledged.

3. Gender Pay Gap:

• The gender pay gap is a significant issue where women are paid less than men for the same or similar work.
• Personal experience: The speaker faced this issue as an office manager, where a male colleague earned more despite her doing more work.

4. Undervalued Home Labor:

• Society undervalues the work women do at home, such as childcare and household tasks.
• Women are expected to balance work, family, and maintaining a good mood, which is challenging.

5. Reproductive Rights:

• Denying women the right to abortion or to terminate a pregnancy is a major problem.
• Women may face life-threatening situations during pregnancy or childbirth.
• Women may become pregnant due to rape or assault.
• Women should have the right to make decisions about their bodies and reproductive health.

6. Education Inequality:

• While women's access to education has increased, disparities still exist in some countries.
• Example: In Afghanistan, girls are often denied education.
• Lack of education limits women's opportunities for work and financial stability.
• Uneducated women are often seen as easier to control, leading to a cycle of inequality.
• Mothers marry their sons to uneducated girls because it's easier to control them.

7. Lack of Appreciation for Women's Work:

• Men often do not appreciate the work women do, both at home and in the workplace.
• Women are often denied leadership positions due to societal biases.
• Society blames women for prioritizing family and children, while men are often promoted for being fathers.

8. Societal Bias and Injustice:

• Society often sides with men in cases of injustice.
• Example: The case of Sultanat in Kazakhstan, who was a victim of domestic abuse and murdered by her husband.
• The husband received inadequate punishment due to corruption and government assistance.

9. Conclusion:

• Feminism is still crucial in the 21st century to address issues like the gender pay gap, reproductive rights, education inequality, and societal biases.
• It is essential to recognize and appreciate the contributions of women and fight for equal opportunities and justice.