7 Recent Events That Show Us Why We Still Need Feminism ...

Feminism hasn't 'happened'; I don't like that phrase because it implies that something is over - but there are so many reasons why we still need feminism. That's why saying that 'we don't need feminism anymore' is so naive and damaging. You may not feel like you need it, and that's great - that means it working. But there are countless other women in the world who do still desperately need equality. Every day, I read news pieces that illustrate that - just because it isn't directly affecting you doesn't mean you shouldn't care. To help show you what I mean, here are a selection of recent examples from the news that show exactly why we still need feminism.

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The Leaked Photos Scandal

Something that's probably dominated your Twitter feed in recent weeks is a perfect example of why we still need feminism. Thanks to a twisted individual(s), the private lives of female celebrities have been plastered all over the internet. It's no coincidence that no male celebrities have experienced the same breach of privacy, nor is it coincidence that the most shared photos of those affected celebrities show them naked. These hugely talented women, famous for winning Oscars and sporting trophies, have had their bodies used against them in the most disgusting, public and personal way.

Emma Watson's UN Speech

You've probably heard about Emma Watson's brilliant, affecting UN address. What happened afterwards? A hoax, threatening to reveal naked, stolen pictures of Emma in response to her speech. This is so many levels of wrong, I can't even begin to explain it. It's like the internet equivalent of saying 'pipe down, or else.'

The Constant Trolling

This isn't a specific example but I felt it had to be mentioned. Ask any women in the public eye active on social media, particularly those with feminist leanings, if she's ever experienced gender-related abuse and I would guess that at least 90% would say yes - in fact, it's been proved that a much higher percentage of female writers have received online abuse. Some of the abuse these women receive is truly, truly vile and it needs to stop.

The Penalty for Abortion

Recently, a National Review columnist said that the penalty for abortion should be hanging. Obviously, this is a ridiculous extremist view but asshats like this are reflective of a wider problem: men wanting to control what happens to womens' bodies, and threatening violence when they don't get their way.

Amal Alanuddin and George Clooney's Wedding

This is, by all means, a happy occasion. My issue here is the way it was reported in more or less every paper and magazine - I saw only one exception. They went something like this: 'George Clooney, Hollywood royalty, to marry.' No mention of his new wife - the internationally acclaimed and respected human rights lawyer, Amal Alanuddin.

Famous Quotes

Love is like a friendship caught on fire. In the beginning a flame, very pretty, often hot and fierce, but still only light and flickering. As love grows older, our hearts mature and our love becomes as coals, deep-burning and unquenchable.

Bruce Lee

J-Lo & Iggy Azealea

Have you seen the video for this pair's new song? It reduces two highly successful women to a single body part. And the lyrics are just as bad. We see this sort of thing in music videos all the time - women, scantily clad and jiggling around. How often do we see that of men? Look at Jay-Z and Beyoncé. He wears long sleeves and trousers on stage and she stands next to him in little more than her underwear.

Victim-blaming

Again, not a specific example but something that I felt really needed to be mentioned. Remember that new nail varnish that was in the news recently? It reacts to date-rape drugs, so if you dip your finger in your drink, you can check whether you've been spiked or not. I'm not saying this is necessarily a bad invention, but the emphasis needs to be on stopping rapists, not placing the responsibility on potential victims. We see this thing all the time - girls, don't get drunk, don't wear inappropriate clothing, etc etc. It's time we stopped blaming the victims and started addressing the cause.

All of these examples are reflective of wider problems. They're by no means isolated and this is such a small selection of the examples I could have used. The need for feminism is still very much present. Do you feel that gender stereotypes affect you?

Feedback Junction

Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

Amen to that!! Some men are truly just PIGS!

While I do agree with many of these. I disagree with #4. There are plenty of women that are pro-life. Those women don't see it as men wanting to control their bodies but women wanting to control the bodies of the children. I am not meaning to start a debate on abortion. But, if you are going to write an article on reasons for feminism you shouldn't include abortion because it is not a feminist debate.

I believe as a woman we need equal rights. That being said, why do women have naked pictures on their phones & computers. Also, why do they run around mostly naked on stage or in public? They just asking for trouble from men. I was a young pretty woman & I could dress sexy and not look like a street walker. I really think these actresses really like when they are exposed. They get a lot of attention out of it. Who to say they did not do it themselves. Women should have more respect for themselves.

I don't agree with this article. Regarding Clooney's wedding, no one knows who Amal is. People are interested in Clooney, not Amal. It has nothing to do with gender; it is because of Clooney's status. Regarding J-Lo and Iggy, they put that song out there on there own. No misogynist forced them. Regarding abortion, this has nothing to do with feminism. Yes, a woman should have a right to her own body, but why does she have the right to the child's body? I don't think these men want to control woman, but they want to help the children that they believe are being murdered. Regarding rape, it's terrible and no one should ever go through it, but it does happen. Trying to protect a potential victim is not victim blaming. Overall, I think this article is misleading, and doesn't provide good examples.

Women choose to sexually exploit themselves. It's not men's fault. It's ours! Everyone wants to play the blame game but some women makes us all look bad. If you want change stop tryna change the men and teach our future women to be more respectable. As far as rape goes that is never ever ok! But it's sadly a part of our world and all we can do is find ways to help us protect ourselves against evil human beings.

Drug detecting nail varnish is a brilliant invention! Full stop! It helps women protect themeselves! It's not like we can all be Sherlock Holmes and go stop these rapists! Teaching younge boys to respect women however, all mums can do(well, try)

Though I consider myself a feminist and believe that all people should have equal rights (unless they abuse them and there is some justifiable reason for them to be taken away) I can't really sympathize with the whole nude photo scandal. Don't get me wrong whoever leaked them was wrong and needs to be punished, that's a violation of privacy and we need people to know that it's not right, however if you take nude photos, of yourself you run the risk of them getting out. If you don't want people to see them; don't take them. That's the easiest fix.

If you're going to mention J.Lo and Iggy, you should mention Nicki Minaj too

I agree with all of these. Men get mad when a woman doesn't want kids yet its HER body. I believe I am a feminist! Guys at school try to tell me what I should wear and all that crap. It's ridiculous! Like that song flawless, it talks about being a feminist. We need to stick together instead of competing against each other .

Amal AlaMuddin

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