Society and feminism

'Because you are feminists’, they say,
‘Men in women’s bodies!What can we say??’
As I hear their endless rhetoric
I’m thinking to myself
You don’t have to say anything,
Especially when it’s all assumptions!
A mere attempt by a mediocre mind
To explain what’s at a level above them!
Would they rather choke themselves?
Or pay silence where it’s due!

It appears to me
That feminism, among a whole lot
Of other women empowerment mechanisms
Has been greatly prejudiced.
It’s not just our friends nor the families we have
But alas! A whole world around us.
Some don’t even bother to hide their contempt
Towards women who dare
To tread on grounds traditionally deemed masculine.
They are labelled rebellious,
Women who can’t respect men!
Honestly though!

What do we call ambitious men?
Who undermine and disregard
The capacity of women to lead them??
Do we brand them rebels too?
Or maybe rebellious
Is now a term reserved for women
Who are courageous enough
To challenge the status quo??
Women who have resolved
To find their role in a patriarchal society!
Shouldn’t we be proud?
And cheer on these heroines
As they try to reach their full potential
And contribute to change.

Feminism, as the name says,
Deems pivotal, the value of female qualities.
Qualities that are not socially constructed
But reflected by the aspirations
And actions of women of various levels.
Feminism shouldn’t be made
A utopia world for corporate women,
Activists and multiple other classifications
That society mistakes it for?
A rural woman taking care of her children,
An ordinary vendor, a university student,
A pastor’s wife, name it!
These all fit into the definition of feminism,
As a breed of women and girls
Who believe themselves capable
Of taking up leadership roles
Of making informed decisions
Of giving a voice as to how they should be treated.
These are not,
Females playing ‘men in women’s bodies?’
If that were the case,
Feminism would be
Nothing but validation of men
As superior to women.
Which is the mistake the builders of society made
Subjecting women to lifelong abuse
By patriarchs who saw them
As nothing short of sexual objects
And recipients for their anger and fears.
That foundation, denied Africa a chance
At total development.
Because for years
Female innovation was discouraged
A female voice and opinion was undermined.

Women empowerment today,
Serves to build the capacity
Of women to explore their potential.
Its aim is to deconstruct the negative view
That women can’t, because evidently
They have!
Women who are truly feminist,
Understand that the full model of a woman
Can compete with a man
Without being a man
Because ultimately
The aim is not to be men
But to be great women
Who can stand alongside men
As they both decide the Africa they envision.
And so until society personalizes and embraces
The true essence of women empowerment
Then we will continue
To have women and men discouraging
The full potential of other women.
Power to the women!!!