Feminism: What Does It Mean? Why Do We Need It?

Being a teenage girl today is both empowering and frustrating. We’ve grown up in a world where feminism has made undeniable progress—where we’re told we can do anything, be anything, and break any barrier. And yet, we still feel the weight of expectations that haven’t disappeared.

Take Afghanistan, for example. Since the Taliban regained control in 2021, girls have been banned from secondary school and university, and stripped of their right to education and independence. Women can no longer work in many professions, travel without a male guardian, or even enter parks and gyms. Their voices, ambitions, and dreams are being silenced—not because they lack ability, but because they are female.

Picture on the left: New York Times, from Women's March in 2017. The picture on the right: The Guardian, from Women's March in the 1970s

It’s a reminder that feminism isn’t just about personal struggles; it’s about global realities. While some of us fight for equal pay or to be taken seriously in leadership, others are fighting simply for the right to learn. It’s easy to take progress for granted, but stories like these prove why feminism is still necessary, and why we must continue pushing for a world where no girl is denied her potential.

Feminism, for me, isn’t about rejecting femininity or standing on a soapbox every day. It’s about knowing that I deserve respect, opportunities, and a voice, just like anyone else. It’s about recognizing the subtle inequalities that still exist and challenging them in my way, whether that means speaking up in class, supporting other girls, or simply refusing to shrink myself to fit someone else’s expectations.

Some people roll their eyes at feminism, calling it outdated or unnecessary. But when girls still hesitate to take up space, when our bodies are still policed, when our achievements are still overshadowed by how we look—feminism remains just as important as ever.

For me, being a feminist isn’t about being angry; it’s about believing in fairness. It’s about knowing that my dreams, my voice, and my choices matter. And it’s about making sure the next generation of girls grows up in a world where they don’t have to fight to be seen as equals—they just are.