“She said the f-word; she must be a nutjob. Let’s steer clear of her.”
Sadly, this sort of statement is becoming increasingly common amongst people. Whenever did feminism turn into a dirty word? The negative connotation of this word is a pity considering the wealth of the theory. Feminism has never been about hating men; it has always been about equality. When misandrists label themselves as feminists they diminish the purpose of the theory. One cannot embrace feminism if they harbour hatred towards the other gender because it is a theory about equal rights for both men and women – socially, culturally, economically and politically. “The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights,” states American feminist Gloria Steinem.
It is no secret that women have been oppressed in history and to this day, the fight for equality continues. Since its inception in the early 1900’s, International Women’s Day has been the perfect opportunity to appreciate the efforts of women and their achievements. It is also a means of reflecting on the inequities that still persist or have surfaced. Bangladesh has had a lot to celebrate in the past forty four years – it has closed the gender gap in primary education, the amount of women in the workforce is staggering and maternal/infant mortality rates have dropped significantly. Nevertheless, in order to achieve total equality and freedom of choice, there is much more left to do.
Moreover, we also celebrate Independence Day this month – a day to honour our country’s liberation. In a very special Cover Story, ICE Today brings to you the tales of three women who survived the ghastly night of 25 March 1971. As it does outstanding work in social and financial empowerment of women, a feature on BRAC was a must for this issue. Wander Woman and Fight Like A Girl are two articles on women breaking boundaries in different aspects, while Serenity of the Soul introduces you to the beautiful yogini, Anika Rabbani. Other features include a review of Holey Artisan Bakery, a look at eating disorders, a rendezvous with the legendary Aly Zaker and a glance at the ever more popular Jatra Biroti. Not to mention, the issue is also filled with a gorgeous fashion portfolio and plenty of beauty tips.
The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is ‘Make It Happen,’ so if there is something that you have been wanting to do – regardless of whether you are a man or woman – make it happen.