Why feminism should work but isn't working

KATHMANDU, Nov 24: The society before money was introduced comprised of men going out to hunt and gather withwomen working inside the house. With feudal system and capitalistic society that followed, everything started getting measured in money.

While men who go out to work started earning money, women doing household chores were not valued because there was no pay involved for those kinds of work, leading to the notion of gender supremacy. [break]

This inherent bias or generally refereed to as social inequality in terms of gender gave rise to feminist movements, initially referred to as women’s liberationists.

Arishma Shrestha

Arishma Shrestha, 22 who just graduated from St. Xavier’s College with Bachelor in Social Work (BSW) degree, Supriya Shrestha, 18, who is currently doing her Plus 2 at St. Mary’s High School, Ishaana Thapa, 18, who is studying Economics through Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), and Suraj Malla, 19, currently enrolled in Bachelor in Computing at Islington College talked about how they look at feminists and feminism.

Do you identify yourself as a feminist?

Ishaana: The definition varies and on contrary to popular opinion, feminists are not just women. In the way that I am shaped socially and culturally, I believe in the integral gender complementarity like Michele M. Schumacher believes, “One nature, two modes of expression. Together they form a communion of persons to exist for the other.

Suraj: I don’t like the word ‘feminism’ at all. Why feminists often detest men in the name of feminism and establishing gender equality is beyond my understanding.

Arishma: Although I don’t proclaim myself as a feminist I am unconsciously fighting and supporting women whenever there is an argument along those lines.

Ishaana Thapa

Supriya: Growing up in an all-girls’ school and now working in an organization for women makes me a feminist, more or less, I think.

As men, what do you think of the issues regarding inherent bias against women?

Ishaana: Men and women need to be treated equally but differently as well, considering the biological and social elements. We should appreciate diversity and be gender-inclusive in all sectors. I think this way it would be great in terms of productivity if both male and female work together.

Suraj: It is not a contest. Gender roles are different; it is how it has always been. I think women should be uplifted in fields they are capable of. If you are complaining about low wage in comparison with men, you should also compare the amount of work being done. Because you can’t put women to physical work and complain that they’re getting paid lesser than men.

Supriya Shrestha

How do you feel about the quota system for women in government and civil services?

Ishaana: The 33% quota hardly helps in the upliftment process. In most cases than not, the whole idea is to just show that a particular program or office is being gender inclusive. They taken women to fulfill the quotas but their capabilities are often not measured, because of which women in power cannot address their concerns as they are not capable of that status and cannot utilize it.

Supriya: We should focus on both women and men working together in mainstream development rather than just advocating for concession for women.

Arishma: I see no harm in advocating for and empowering women but we should give equal respect to the opposite gender as well. I don’t like the whole idea of celebrating women’s day, instead of putting all forces together for one day to show that women are powerful, we can elevate the population of women with small efforts throughout the year.

What would be the ideal concept of feminism, according to you?

Ishaana: After the second wave of feminism in the 1960s, radical feminists advocated for a new order, for women to be separated from society and make one for and by themselves. I think we should come up with something which appreciates women for what they are and what they can do. Why be radical and impose things that will only bring more chaos to thousands of years old establishment?

Suraj Malla

Arishma: Gender roles are defined by culture. So many women’s organizations working in Nepal are trying to force feminism in irrelevant areas. Like the concept of socialist feminism, gender discrimination is governed by social class and order. We should have a Nepal-oriented feminist ideology because our case is very different from that of western society and European regions. Preaching feminism in rural areas where there is perfect harmony with men working in the fields and women at home is like throwing stones in a still pond. It will only create ripples that are unnecessary.

Supriya: I think proper harmony between both genders works great for any community.

Suraj: Feminism should be about sensitizing men, values shouldn’t be forced but it should be inculcated culturally. If we can educate men, gender inequality will be automatically minimized.