In the Philippines, education was once only for the elite and only for males. Today, both girls and boys have the opportunity to go to school. But still, there are many who are hindered from going to school because they have to stay at home and take care of their younger siblings. Some have to work to support their families. Others are encouraged to simply get married early for financial security.
This fight for girl’s education continues because of poverty. Advocating for girls to be able to go to school has a generational effect. According to the World Bank, it means a healthier, richer nation. It can also help in uplifting households, communities and the nation out of poverty.
39.2 million Filipinos aged 6 to 24 years old are not in school and 63% are females. Being a feminist also means fighting for these girls to be able to go to school. Just imagine what could be achieved when every girl in the country goes to school.
1. Being a feminist means celebrating each other as humans instead of categorizing people into “men” and “women.”
A guy friend said to me, “Wait, you believe in gender?”
Adichie says that for centuries, the world divided humans into two groups and then, they excluded and oppressed one group: females. Being a feminist simply means acknowledging this fact. This concept of gender is so cagey as my guy friend pointed out because it categorizes people based on long-held biases.
Rupi says that it blinds us from celebrating each other as humans. So, she points out that being a feminist also means stepping back and seeing farther than our current perspective of gender.
So, Rupi Kaur’s thought-provoking poetry reminds us to question why things are the way they are. All these reasons all come down to one thing: all humans are equal and we must be treat each other as compassionately as we can. It may sound simple but calling out old ideas, acknowledging gender issues, and changing our perception is not easy at first. These reasons remind us why supporting women and gender equality can be a positive force in our society. So, you don’t have to be a woman to be a feminist. You just have to acknowledge that gender-based issues exist and believe that everyone needs to participate in fixing these issues.
Do you have a story for the WhenInManila.com Team? Email us at story.wheninmanila@gmail.com or send us a direct message at our WhenInManila.com Facebook Page. Interact with the team and join the WhenInManila.com Community at WIM Squad! Join our Viber group to be updated with the latest news!
Why We Should All Be Feminists According to Rupi Kaur
2. Being a feminist means supporting girl’s education.
Women have been excluded for centuries and hidden behind closed doors.
In the Philippines, education was once only for the elite and only for males. Today, both girls and boys have the opportunity to go to school. But still, there are many who are hindered from going to school because they have to stay at home and take care of their younger siblings. Some have to work to support their families. Others are encouraged to simply get married early for financial security.
This fight for girl’s education continues because of poverty. Advocating for girls to be able to go to school has a generational effect. According to the World Bank, it means a healthier, richer nation. It can also help in uplifting households, communities and the nation out of poverty.
39.2 million Filipinos aged 6 to 24 years old are not in school and 63% are females. Being a feminist also means fighting for these girls to be able to go to school. Just imagine what could be achieved when every girl in the country goes to school.
1. Being a feminist means celebrating each other as humans instead of categorizing people into “men” and “women.”
A guy friend said to me, “Wait, you believe in gender?”
Adichie says that for centuries, the world divided humans into two groups and then, they excluded and oppressed one group: females. Being a feminist simply means acknowledging this fact. This concept of gender is so cagey as my guy friend pointed out because it categorizes people based on long-held biases.
Rupi says that it blinds us from celebrating each other as humans. So, she points out that being a feminist also means stepping back and seeing farther than our current perspective of gender.
So, Rupi Kaur’s thought-provoking poetry reminds us to question why things are the way they are. All these reasons all come down to one thing: all humans are equal and we must be treat each other as compassionately as we can. It may sound simple but calling out old ideas, acknowledging gender issues, and changing our perception is not easy at first. These reasons remind us why supporting women and gender equality can be a positive force in our society. So, you don’t have to be a woman to be a feminist. You just have to acknowledge that gender-based issues exist and believe that everyone needs to participate in fixing these issues.
Finally, Happy Women’s Month!
Who is your favorite female poet? Let us Know!
Related
About The Author
Do you have a story for the WhenInManila.com Team? Email us at story.wheninmanila@gmail.com or send us a direct message at our WhenInManila.com Facebook Page. Interact with the team and join the WhenInManila.com Community at WIM Squad! Join our Viber group to be updated with the latest news!