Written by: Sabhya Marasini Pradhan - 30039, Grade V
Posted on: 17 February, 2023
How would you feel if you were discriminated against just because of your gender? We hear about women getting treated badly by men, but how often do we hear stories about men getting treated the same way by women? In many parts of Nepal and many countries around the world, women continue to suffer.
Promoting and protecting women’s rights on the basis of equality of genders is called feminism.
A person who supports feminism is a feminist. The International Women’s Development Agency (IWDA) says feminism is “Respecting diverse women’s experiences, identities, knowledge and strengths, and striving to empower all women to realise their full rights.”
A male-dominated society, superstition, lack of education, poor human rights are some of the factors that deprive women of their rights. Women’s rights shouldn’t be only women’s issues. Men can play a vital role in changing societal attitudes and perceptions towards women.
In recent years, Nepal has seen some progress in improving women's status. There are emerging women leaders in Nepali politics, such as Bidhya Devi Bhandari, who is Nepal's first woman president. She has given hope to Nepali women that they too can aspire to become heads of state. However, there is still a long way to go, and more role models need to be seen in all areas of life.
It is important to acknowledge that gender equality is not just a women's issue but a human rights issue. Everyone, regardless of their gender, should be treated with respect and given equal opportunities to succeed in life. As a society, we must work towards creating a more just and equitable world for all.
