Despite the fact that women are more independent now than we’ve ever been, it is all too apparent that those who want to preach victimology have hijacked the feminist movement. The “new feminists” are telling us we need to be afraid, that we need to look to the government for more because we can’t succeed on our own, that we are weaker and need more protections. The message the new feminists are sending is that they don’t want us to be independent, empowered and self-sufficient.

I will forcefully condemn sexual assault and harassment, wherever it occurs. I will not turn a blind eye to sexism and will call it out as unacceptable whenever I see it. I pledge to hold the men around me accountable and not dismiss lurid descriptions or grotesque conduct as “locker room talk” or “boys being boys.” It’s not enough for us to write that we condemn these despicable behaviors. We should use the advantages, opportunities, and, all too often, passes that are given to us by virtue of being men to fight back and speak out against sexism and abuse. ADVERTISE

So discussion of toxic masculinity is not just pointing to an attitude problem in men. It’s about humanity’s habit of associating masculinity with men and femininity with women and then privileging the masculine over the feminine, resulting in a big mess for all.

"Racialized women have always been at the forefront of civil rights movements," said Margaret Robinson, Dalhousie University assistant professor of sociology and social anthropology. "What's changed is the broader society's ability to recognize them for their leadership and work."

When Mustehsan talks, girls who idolise her tend to listen because she chooses serious topics that resonate with them. She encourages young women to believe in their own beauty without the manipulations of mobile filter apps, and is known to take on trolls who question women's rights to move freely in public spaces with sharp repartees.

There’s something under-ripened about the state of feminism in my country. In other countries, to proclaim oneself a feminist is taken to mean that you are a person who defends the rights of women to live as they like, to have equal rights and opportunities, and to be in charge of their sexuality. In Italy, those who call themselves feminists treat what is supposed to be a fundamental component of one’s worldview as a sort of battle between high-school cliques: I will fight for your rights — as long as we’re friends.

Whether explicitly (as in the MFK game) or more subtly communicated, subtyping undermines women in a classic divide-and-conquer strategy. Here’s how it plays out: Each subtype cedes one — but only one — positive trait (warm, sexy, or competent), mixing flattery with derogation. Wholly negative stereotypes (competent and cold) would motivate anyone to resist. But it’s only human to want to maintain others’ good opinion on a positive trait (“At least they think I’m nice”) while trying to correct perceived deficits (“How can I convince them I’m smart?”). Even those of us who immediately see the game as disgusting are not immune to this urge to want to convince our community to both like and respect us.

“To be at the helm of the enterprise at which I first read the words ‘rape culture’ and ‘fat shaming’ on the internet is very meaningful to me,” she said. “And I have high hopes of where I can take that legacy in a Trump administration, in which so many rights of the marginalized are now being actively eroded.”

“You’re not going to have an awakening of a billion men that are suddenly going to wake up and everyone is going to be a feminist. What you can do is create a new race of men that are aware of their actions that are respecting women in a new way.”

Women were speaking up about their own experiences while men agreed that something should be done to stop the cycle. One of those who spoke up was fitness coach and event host Hilary Isaac. In her anecdote she shared how, as a mother, she’s trying to raise her six-year-old son to be a feminist. This might seem like a new concept to some people so we thought we’d ask her some questions on how she does it and what people think about her parenting style. Read more: http://preen.inquirer.net/60140/the-imp

I didn’t do the best job amplifying other people’s voices. Again, I was told that it’s important to have men speak out about things, but I didn’t realize I was actually taking up space sometimes. For example, if I want to make a point about gender equality and there are many women saying the same thing, it would be helpful to just share their words instead of making my own comment.