Twitter wars over feminism have missed the big picture

I recently joined Twitter and, I must say, there is never a dull day, not when Kenyans on Twitter (KOT) are online. Here, all manner of subjects and topics are discussed, with almost everyone being an expert.

Politics and governance matters tend to dominate discussions, but my attention has been drawn to feminism.

Proponents of the belief that women should have the same rights and opportunities as men have been putting across good and valid points.

However, there is this incessant back-and-forth between ardent feminists and their defensive male antagonists that seems to cloud these debates.

Inasmuch as these exchanges are intriguing, they almost invariably prove futile at the end of the day.

Someone once said the hardest things to do is change one’s mindset. Therefore, dire efforts that have been made for equality have not yielded much successes and it is not surprising.

Men’s perspective

This is because feminists focus on changing men’s perspective when they should instead educate the girl child.

The girl child should know that she can do anything that she wants in this world. That it is not a man’s world until you make it one. That we are removed from the old and archaic mindset that women are inferior to men.

That being a woman isn’t a liability but an immensely significant strength. That no one can make you feel inferior without your consent.

We howl for equality from all and sundry as if it will be handed over to us.

“The thing women have yet to learn is nobody gives you power. You just take it,” American actress, comedian, writer and producer Roseanne Barr once said.

I totally agree with the argument that women who seek to be equal with men lack ambition.

In a world full of endless opportunities, why would you want to be equal to a man?

Real empowerment 

That is the kind of mentality that subconsciously puts us down and makes many believe that men are superior.

To me, real empowerment is promoting women’s sense of self-worth, their ability to determine their own choices, and their right to influence social change.

Real empowerment is when one understands that it’s not about who is going to let me but who is going to stop me.

So let’s shift gears. Rather than pleading for equality, lets focus more on empowering the girl child.

“Women are the largest untapped reservoir of talent in the world,” American politician Hillary Clinton famously said.

I am not a feminist myself though. Just a girl with her 400-word opinion published. We are done here. Or are we?

Charity is a student at Pioneer School.

Are you aged 10-20 and would like to be Nation’s young reporter? Email your 400-600-word article to [email protected]