Increasing Feminism in Modern Society

Introduction

Feminism is not only the most crucial concept in today’s time, but also the most misunderstood. People often think it is a movement comprised of angry women, but in reality, it is a profound struggle for justice and equality, from the first woman who demanded her right to education to the thousands who march in the streets every year. It is a tale that has been told across generations. This essay delves into its rich past, discussing its foundation and the ongoing quest to liberate the world from men who commit heinous acts against women. To understand feminism in South Asia, one must also recognise why our society is patriarchal, what its root causes are, and how history, culture, education, and economic dependence continue to shape women’s lives. 

What is feminism?

When the term “feminist” comes up, most people picture a woman with high heels, dressed in modern attire and wearing bright red lipstick. These portrayals have turned this word into an insult. Being a feminist means someone disrespectful, arrogant, and most importantly, “anti-men”.

If you dig deep, you’ll realise that “feminism” is a powerful movement that strives for justice and safety. At its core, it asserts that all genders are equal and hence should be provided with equal opportunities in all fields of life. It ensures the abolition of patriarchy from society. Being a feminist isn’t an insult but an honour as it represents standing up for the right to be treated as a human being. However, the reality in South Asia is that a majority of women themselves do not openly call themselves feminists. They have accepted the current norms, often because of fear of backlash, social pressure, or the belief that family reputation and survival must come first. This shows that while feminism fights for equality, its language and strategies must connect with women’s daily realities. 

Waves of Feminism

The first wave officially started in the United States and the United Kingdom, with the main objective of attaining legal rights. At the 1848 Seneca Falls Convention, abolitionists like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott boldly presented the Declaration of Sentiments, in which they claimed that “We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men and women are created equal.” They demanded that women be awarded the right to vote.

The second wave began in the 1960s, with the main emphasis on sexuality and reproductive rights. Much of the focus was directed towards approving the Equal Rights Amendment Constitution which guaranteed social equality, regardless of gender.

The third wave of feminism began in the late 90’s. Many fronts of feminism developed during this wave, such as intersectionality, sexual positivity, etc. Philosopher Judith Butler first defined the difference between sex and gender.

The fourth wave is mostly characterised by its relationship with social media and online advocacy for women’s rights. Campaigns such as #MeToo or #YesAllWomen are some of the highlights of this wave, where people shared their experiences of sexual abuse and sexual harassment. 

In Pakistan, the Aurat March became a hallmark of this wave, bringing the slogan “Mera Jism Meri Marzi” (My Body, my choice) into the mainstream. Supporters explained it as a call for bodily autonomy and protection from harassment through forced marriage, violence, and marital rape while opponents condemned it as culturally offensive. This controversy reflects how feminism both empowers women and provokes backlash in patriarchal societies. 

Feminism vs. Feminine

Feminism and femininity are often regarded as distinct concepts, but this is not entirely true. While the former challenges gender norms and promotes equality, the latter believes in a more orthodox approach. But feminism encompasses a range of qualities, including feminine ones as well. In fact, feminism argues that women should have the freedom to embrace femininity or reject it without losing their dignity or rights. 

Social issues and feminism

Gender-based Violence

Gender-based violence is at the top of the list of social issues that we face today. It is defined as violence directed against a person because of their gender. Violence against women is the most common and most frequent violation of human rights. It can take various forms, such as physical, sexual, or psychological. It also includes threats, coercion, and manipulation. The consequences of such actions are devastating and have lifelong repercussions for survivors.

According to the 2017-18 Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey (PDHS) showing 28% of women aged 15-49 experienced physical violence at the hands of their intimate partner. While in the 2019-2021 India National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), around 30% of ever-married women in India reported experiencing physical, sexual, or emotional violence by their current or former husband.

A brutal case of a 23-year-old physiotherapy student (dubbed as Nirbhaya—the fearless one) in Delhi. After watching night show movie in cinema, she boarded an off-duty bus on 16 December 2012 with a male friend. While bus in motion, six men physically tortured and raped her. All six men involved were convicted by a fast track court. Four of them got the death penalty, while the bus driver, Ram Singh, committed suicide in Tihar Jail. And Mohammed Afroz was tried separately in juvenile court and given the maximum sentence of 3 years imprisonment in a reform facility. This incident caused a massive response and resulted in the government forming an independent commission that vowed to change India’s rape laws.

In most cases, people start blaming the victim and conclude that they must have done something to deserve this. The debate should never be on what the victim was wearing or how she was behaving. The primary concern should be to bring these criminals to justice, which is what feminism stands for.

This violence both arises from and sustains patriarchy. Fear of harassment or abuse limits women’s mobility, keeps them out of schools and workplaces, and forces them into economic dependence. Tackling it requires strict legal enforcement, safe public spaces and education reforms. 

An initiative that has significantly reduced rape and sexual violence cases in India is the Swachh Bharat Mission, or Clean India Mission. This campaign was initiated by the government of India on 2 October 2014 with the aim of providing India’s 1.3 billion population access to a toilet in just five years. For women, this initiative is particularly crucial, as more than 60 per cent of reported rape occur when victims step out to relieve themselves. 

Religion-Based Discrimination Against Women

There has always been a constant struggle between religion and power dynamics, especially when it comes to gender. Unfortunately, some men have used religion as a tool to justify their abuse of women. Each year in Pakistan, nearly 1,000 girls from religious minorities are converted to Islam. These conversions often lead to underage, non-consensual, and illegal marriages. These girls are often kidnapped and coerced into marriage. This system thrives because the abusers are backed by Islamic clerics who solemnise the marriage along with magistrates and local police.

Numerous cases of forced conversion have been recorded in India as well. Muslim men convert non-Muslim women for marriage, whereas the Indian Penal Code has a provision for marriage between any two heterosexuals belonging to two different religion.

One of the cases that sparked debate on this issue is that of Neha Pervaiz, a Christian girl from Karachi, who was reportedly 14-15 years old. At the request of her aunt, she and her two younger brothers went to the hospital. But instead of heading there, their aunt took them to an unknown place and handed them over to a 45-year-old man named Imran. Neha was then pressured into converting to Islam and marrying Imran. She eventually signed the papers and falsely declared herself a Muslim so that her brothers wouldn’t be harmed. Luckily, she was able to escape with the assistance of a girl who provided her with an abaya and helped her reach safety. This case illustrates how religious-minority girls are especially vulnerable to forced marriages and exploitation. 

To protect young girls like Neha, the provincial assembly of Sindh Provincial Assembly passed a new law called the Criminal Law (Protection of Minorities) Act, 2015, which prohibits forced religious conversions. The bill orders a five-year punishment for perpetrators, and any facilitators will be punished with a three-year sentence.

Divorce

In almost all communities, the issue of divorce is considered taboo, and many people refrain from talking about it. Many South Asians are bound by cultural limitations and religious norms, making it much more difficult to leave than it already is.

In Hinduism, the wedding ritual during which a couple takes seven symbolic steps (pheres), signifying their journey through seven lifetimes. Hence, for many Hindus, divorce is not a good thing. They believe that to uphold the sanctity of marriage, they have to make their marriage work, no matter what. Many women choose to stay in these marriages because they are economically dependent, putting their children’s needs and well-being above their own. They fear that divorce could disrupt their children’s lives and stability.

Contrary to Hinduism, the concept of divorce in Islam is a bit straightforward forward but it is partial and unequal. The husband simply says the word ‘talaq’ three times with a waiting period in between each pronouncement, and the divorce is final. But the same easy equal process is not available to women. Women can seek khula, which is the request to her husband for dissolution of marriage by returning the Mehr that she received from her husband at the time of marriage. If the husband refuses for divorce, then the woman has to go through the Islamic Court process, which is cumbersome and practically dysfunctional. If the husband is not responsive, then she can move to Faskh (Islamic court).

India has stepped up measures towards abolishing the Islamic practice of instant triple talaq. The central government passed an order making it a crime. Triple talaq enables a Muslim man to dissolve a marriage immediately by saying the word talaq thrice, verbally or electronically, such as through the use of the social media application, WhatsApp, through a third person. Those who endure this practice have no way out. In August 2017, the Supreme Court of India passed an order that the practice of triple talaq is unconstitutional, but 201 cases have been reported. The stalemate in the center over the legislative measures prompted the government to make the order, which is punishable with up to three years in prison for the violators.

The trauma just doesn’t end at divorce, as remarrying becomes more difficult, as women of all religion are perceived as ‘less worthy’ or ‘damaged’. Parents should understand the importance of the right marriage, as it is crucial for their daughter’s mental, emotional, and physical well-being. It is better to prioritise her happiness and safety rather than uphold outdated societal norms that equate family honour with enduring an unhealthy marriage. According to a recent survey conducted last year, the divorce rate is in India is estimated to be around 1 per 1,00,000 people.

In the annals of Indian legal history, the Mohd. The Ahmad Khan v. Shah Bano Begum case stands out. In April 1978, Shah Bano filed a petition in the high court, demanding an increase in maintenance from her divorced husband. The couple had five children together. The High Court ruled in her favour, granting her request. But the story didn’t end there, as the husband challenged the High Court’s decision in the Supreme Court through a special leave petition. In a landmark decision, the court ruled in favour of Shah Bano, ensuring maintenance beyond the iddat period. However, some Muslim politicians called for the nullification of the verdict as they believed it conflicted with Islamic law. As a result, the government enacted the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act in 1986, which curtailed maintenance rights beyond the iddat period. 

In Indian Subcontinent, arranged marriage is still the dominant practice. Typically, families or community elders select suitable candidates based upon their educational, economical, and social background and then arrange meetings. Once both families agree, engagement and wedding rituals follow. Its marriage between two families rather than two individuals and in some case leads to an unhealthy relationship. Today, however, many marriages blend tradition with modernity-couples may first connect through social media, then bring their families into the process. 

Misogyny and Sexualism

As feminist movements have gathered momentum over recent years, words like misogyny and sexism have entered the mainstream vocabulary. Sexism is the ideology based on assumptions, concepts, and stereotypes that tends to justify the patriarchal norms as inevitable. On the other hand, misogyny is the method; it enforces these ideologies.

An example to clear the difference will be to say it’s “like men,” and therefore women should avoid dressing in a certain way while going out at night, which is sexism, as opposed to making jokes such as “she was asking for it”—that’s misogyny.

Both sexism and misogyny are utterly disrespectful and in no way should be tolerated by women of any class, race, colour, etc. What is even more absurd is men using such terms to amuse themselves. Such remarks can destroy the lives of women and tarnish their image.

According to feminism, every individual has a responsibility to play their role in empowering women so that the world can be free from sexism and misogyny. Every woman should be provided with a safe space where they can work without the danger of groping, rape, and sexual assault looming at every corner.

Eradicating sexism and misogyny begins with education. Girls must grow up knowing that their self-worth isn’t determined by others. “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” is a powerful national initiative that aims at addressing the issue of the declining child sex ratio. Discrimination against girls, coupled with technology, has resulted in the rise of abortions of female fetuses. 

But misogyny also survives because of gender segregation. Women are often restricted to separate schools, buses and social spaces. While sometimes presented as protective, this segregation limits women’s opportunities, keeps them dependent, and prevents true equality in public life. This gender segregation also prevents boys and girls from choosing the best match as their soul mate on their own. 

Patriarchy

Feminists use an umbrella term known as patriarchy to describe the systematic dominance of men over women. This is accompanied by cultural and social beliefs that justify male supremacy, often disrupting the balance of responsibilities between men and women in the public and private spheres of life.

Some men believe that they have been granted the status of protectors of women, which automatically entitles them to degrade their wives. However, this is an utterly flawed notion. Women are not things that can be possessed; they are human beings and should be treated as such.

Patriarchy has survived because of discriminatory property laws, religious and customary codes that restricted women’s inheritance, lack of education for girls, and economic dependence. These factors worked together to create a system where women were pushed into subordination. In ancient India, however, the picture was not always the same. Early Vedic texts mention women scholars (rishikas), their participation in rituals, and swayamvara ceremonies where women could choose their partners. Over centuries, stricter caste and inheritance rules reduced these freedoms, although matrilineal societies in parts of South India kept women in leading family roles. This history shows patriarchy is not eternal but a social system that evolved and can be changed again. 

Famous Feminists

Kamla Bhasin, a social scientist who has worked on issues related to education, development, and gender discrimination for over 35 years. She is best known for her involvement with SANGAT, a South Asian feminist network.

Another such prominent name is Urvashi Butalia, a publisher and writer. She founded Kali for Women, which is India’s first feminist publishing house, and later established Zuban Books. 

Challenges and Criticisms

Despite being most vulnerable to gender-based violence, misogyny, and sexism, feminism has been most frowned upon in South Asian communities. Lack of support, government sanctions, media censorship, and criticism from important personalities have created numerous hindrances. Despite countless struggles, these movements have started gathering considerable support from citizens, especially in urban areas. These movements have highlighted issues of gender equality and women’s rights; however, a lot still needs to be done to create a safe society where every woman can work towards achieving her goals. 

A common criticism is that feminists often raise their voices loudly against injustice but do not always come up with practical solutions. While the awareness they spread is essential, movements must also offer clear roadmaps for reforms in education, employment, and family structures to make lasting and real change.  

It must also be acknowledged that many women themselves do not embrace the word “feminism”. They may believe in equality but prefer to accept current norms rather than face backlash. This shows that feminism’s challenge is not only to fight patriarchy, but also to adopt its language so that women from all classes feel included. 

“Little girls with dreams become women with vision.”

Traces of Hope

Even within patriarchal societies, traces of hope exist. Hindu traditions of goddess worship such as honoring Sita, Saraswati, Durga, Kali, or Shakti show reverence for feminine power. On several cultural and religious occasions, during rituals like Kanya Puja, young girls are worshipped as embodiments of divinity. Ardhanarishvara which represents the balance of the male and female principles of the universe.

Future of Feminism

This movement will continue to evolve and adapt as the needs of society are changing rapidly. The future of feminism lies in continuing to unite the masses in the fight for equality and justice. By standing against unfair patriarchal norms and unfair practices against women, we can drive meaningful change in society. In conclusion, one should never forget that “female is mother of future.”

Conclusion

Feminism is a profound struggle for justice and equality that has evolved through distinct waves. The first wave mainly focused on women fighting for the right to vote. The second wave in 1960 emphasised sexuality and reproductive rights. The third wave contained key moments like Anita Hill’s testimony on workplace harassment, which highlighted intersectionality. The fourth and current wave is dominated by social media movements like #MeToo. Core principles of feminism include gender equality, ending gender oppression and sexual violence, and embracing intersectionality.

Feminists have long fought against social issues like gender-based violence, divorce, misogyny, sexism, patriarchy and religion-based discrimination. Despite countless struggles, these movements have started gathering considerable support from citizens, especially in urban areas. To succeed further, feminism in Indian Subcontinent must address the structural roots of patriarchy – lack of economic dependence, education, cultural restrictions and gender segregation-while also drawing strength from traditions that celebrate women. History proves patriarchy is not eternal; it has changed before, and it can change again.