Aloha!
Hope everyone is doing great? Thank you for clicking the link, forever appreciate it! Today’s post is actually the second part of the two part “Feminism series” so if you haven’t read the part one just click here .
So after discussing Feminism and trying to shed more light the best I could with the questions I compiled, I decided to give you an avenue to ask your questions and hopefully get the right answers you require and some of you sent in your questions. A few were repetitive so I took those out and I didn’t want the post to be long I believe, most of us are busy so I tried to trim the questions down to just 10 so if you asked a question and you don’t see your exact words here, I hope at least one question is able to cover for yours.
I believe you are familiar with the guests already since this is the second part of the last post so no introduction is needed anymore. If you really need to identify them, then you can scroll upwards and click the link for the first part of this series. Now, let’s get into it!
YOUR Q/A
1. Does a feminist have to be female?
Esosa: Nopeee
Ore: No, a feminist doesn’t have to be female. You just have to believe in the equality of the sexes.
Odufa: No. Anybody can be a feminist.
Makua: No, I don’t. Anybody can be a feminist in my opinion.
Urah: No
2. What does a feminist believe in?
Esosa: Basically, a feminist believes in and advocates for the equality of sexes.
Ore: The equality of the sexes😁.
Odufa: Feminists believe in advocating for women’s rights on the basis of equality of the sexes.
Makua: Equal opportunities and rights. Bridging the gender gap.
Urah: Equality of all sexes
3. Will you allow being a feminist to hurt your career? Especially challenging norms at workplaces.
Esosa: I’m honestly not sure. I guess it means that you’re going to have uncomfortable conversations, but I don’t think it has to.
Ore: Not at all but I also will not betray what I believe in. I stand for who I am wherever I am. That won’t change for anything.
Odufa: Honestly, I wouldn’t work in a place where my service would not be valued because of my gender or another person would be placed above me solely because of gender differences.
Makua: In what way does it hurt your career. This question is complex and very subjective. I do believe however, that if you can challenge the norms in an environment that is unhealthy and very biased and your in the position to then please do.
Urah: I don’t think being a feminist will hurt my career, if I am doing something that doesn’t align with my feminist beliefs, I won’t be comfortable doing it.
4. Have you read any books from other writers asides Chimamanda and other popular writers known for this movement, that displays the message of feminism and equality? Can you suggest?
Esosa: I mainly read Chimamanda and Buchi Emecheta.
Ore: Children of blood and bone, I’d say is a good one. Feminism doesn’t have to be the central theme of the book. If women are being uplifted and empowered, I’m here for it.
Odufa: No I haven’t
Makua: I do not particularly search for books on feminism. Some of the books don’t directly speak on feminism but shows the struggles of being a woman especially in the society both our parents and older generations lived in and the one we live in. I recommend African authors like Buchi Emecheta, Cynthia Okparanta. I am currently reading Daughters who walked this path by Yejide Kilanko.
Urah: The other Boleyn girl.
5. How/When do you think our society will begin to realize that “a woman’s body is hers and she can do whatever she pleases with it”,? concerning the topic of having kids, dressing and so many other issues
Esosa: We’re a longgggg way from that, but I like to believe that we’re making progress. Sometimes when I feel like it’s not worth it, I remind myself of how much my brothers have grown from having these kinds of conversations.
Ore: I can’t say when but it will definitely come as a result of people understanding that we all own our bodies as they have been given to us and no one has any sort of right over them besides us. We have the freedom to do as we choose to our bodies. Whatever it is we choose to do, however, we have to remember that we will be held accountable for it so we must choose wisely. Choose life😅
Odufa: I think a lot of people project their insecurities on others. They see people that love their bodies and they want that confidence but they don’t have it. So they end up hating and passing unasked opinions.
I think people have to accept themselves first for change to happen.
Makua: I cannot put a time frame. Women however are becoming more aware of this realisation and that I believe is very important. The fact that a woman is self aware that her body is hers.
Urah: When they open their minds and try to put themselves in our shoes.
6. I think feminism also explores the idea of human beings not categorized under only two genders. What is your view on that?
Esosa: I’m not sure tbh. I’m still figuring things out too so I don’t know.
Ore: That’s a no from me. God made us as man and woman. Those are the 2 genders and I don’t speak for all feminists of course, that’s my personal belief.
Odufa: Definitely, like I said earlier. Feminism is about equality between sexes. Every person of any gender should have equal rights.
Makua: Yes over time awareness has been made on the existence of more genders. I believe that feminism is about ensuring we have equal rights and opportunities. That should apply.
Urah: Yes, it definitely does, it doesn’t exclude anyone.
7. Do you also believe that there are traditional roles that reduce a woman to her outward appearance?
Esosa: Definitely. The idea that cooking, cleaning, and basically performing anything that is seen as domestic is a woman’s job.
Ore: Most definitely yes and a lot of these “roles” aren’t even scientifically correct lol. Like the whole having a son thing, when the man determines the baby’s sex but somehow people say it is the woman’s responsibility and then let me not even start to speak about the whole “how will you bear children if…” conversation. As though only the women play a part in that.
Odufa: Yes I do
Makua: With present times the concept of traditional roles in my opinion is no longer as strong. It is still however present.
Urah: Yes, there are many.
8. What are your thoughts on countries like India who rarely educate their citizens on menstruation because they believe that women on their periods are impure?
Esosa: I hate the shame that society places on something as basic as menstruating. I believe that with time, they’ll progress, but it honestly only does harm to the women.
Ore: I cannot speak on the validity of people’s culture because that is a sacred thing and it is what they have been taught. However, I feel the world has advanced to the point where more and more people are being educated on these matters and old traditions are being pushed out. These things just take time.
Odufa: Honestly, I’m just learning that today. Wow. That’s so sad. I think in cases like this the WHO or other health governing bodies have to step up. We have to raise more awareness about this so they can apply pressure on them to end this madness.
Makua: I do not have much knowledge on India’s system. I do however think it is important to educate people on their bodies. Menstruation is something that should be spoken about and thought in school without any stigma. It is part of life.
Urah: It’s because of ignorance, I won’t say illiteracy because these people are educated about the menstrual cycle and menstruation in general. So it’s more of their cultural beliefs which they are reluctant to let go because they don’t want to be “westernized”.
9. Channels like Zee World and others are largely misogynistic. How do you think more awareness can be brought about internationally?
Esosa: They can have more interviews surrounding this topic, more drives, and awareness campaigns. More conversations and laws that protect women.
Ore: I don’t really watch ZeeWorld but awareness is brought about by education and that can truly be anything. From conversations to books to movies. The work is being done and I commend everyone who in their own little way has educated someone else about feminism.
Odufa: I think social media can be a great way to start up these conversations and address these problems. If they don’t listen and people stop watching their shows, they’ll have to step up.
Makua: The scriptwriters and movie industry would need people who would rewrite and challenge the narratives. Companies like Netflix can sponsor better storylines and media projects.
Urah: I won’t say those channels should be banned because some people actually enjoy these shows but I feel it’s left for them to realize how they portray misogyny a lot in their movies and how wrong it is. When I was younger, I used to watch it but as I grew older and noticed all the misogyny and all and stopped. So I feel it’s more of a personal choice to watch the channel or not
10. How can we better include trans women in our fight for gender equality?
Esosa: I don’t know if I’m knowledgeable enough about this to actually give an opinion, but I’m open to learning. However, there are communities where trans people are brutalized, and sexualized, and I think the major thing that can protect them, is better laws and orientation.
Ore: I think their involvement has more to do with them than it has to with us.
Makua: By being more intentional in the inclusivity.
I personally love all the questions and most of the answers given. I also love the inclusivity in this post. Thank you to everyone who asked questions and I hope you got the answers you needed.
A big thank you to all our guests for taking out of their time to be a part of this series. I know most of you are busy so I really appreciate you wanting to participate!
Thank you to my audience as well! Everyone who read and shared, thank you and God bless! You know I appreciate you 😉
And that concludes this Feminism series🥳. I hope to do more of this sorta thing so we get to get feedback and also be able to clear your confusions. Nice nice, love it!
HOLLUPPP!!! Before I forget! Y’all should ANTICIPATE the next post! It’s less of the serious and social crisis topics and more of fun, laidback, social media ish. I love the guest, she’s someone I’m sure ALL of you have seen on your For You page on TikTok 😂. She’s super sweet and adorable. I’m sure everyone already knows who I’m talking about. I can’t keep a single thing to myself 😂.
Anyways, ANTICIPATE!
Thank you so much again and I’ll see you when I see you ✨
It's IB!! 
One reply on “FEMINISM PT. 2: YOUR QUESTIONS ARE ANSWERED”
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