I’ve seen women rise.
I’ve seen men fall.
And I’ve seen both break under the weight of what they’re “supposed” to be.
In today’s world, gender roles are no longer rigid scripts, but they’re not exactly free‑flowing either. We're in this in‑between place where women are expected to be strong, successful, soft, submissive, nurturing, sexy, modest, motherly, ambitious - all at once. Meanwhile, men are told to open up, be sensitive, provide, protect, be vulnerable - but also never weak.
Tell me that’s not confusing. For both.
🌱 Let’s Talk About Feminism
Feminism isn’t a dirty word. It’s not about hating men or overpowering them. Real feminism is about fairness - the right to speak, live freely, be safe, be paid equally, and exist without being sexualized or silenced.
But here's the truth: feminism loses its heart when it becomes extreme, when it sounds like revenge instead of reform. We don’t need women to replace men at the top - we need women and men to rise together. To challenge systems, not each other.
💣 Misogyny Still Exists - Loudly and Quietly
It’s in the jokes.
In the comments.
In the silence when someone says “she asked for it.”
In the way a woman is judged for being too loud, too quiet, too ambitious, too emotional.
Too many times in my life, I’ve watched women shut down, not because their ideas lacked merit, but simply because of their gender. In workplaces, brilliant ideas are dismissed; leadership roles harder to climb; sexual harassment brushed off as “just office culture.” Globally, nearly 70% of women have endured sexual harassment, and 1 in 3 experienced physical or sexual violence
Society, especially traditional circles, and increasingly on social media - tells women to zip it when giving feedback, even when it’s respectful. We’re policed for what we wear - even if modest. But modesty shouldn’t mean invisibility. Our voices are silenced just for sounding “too sexy.” Even exercising - something healthy - is sexualized if a woman has a pretty face or figure. Meanwhile, men are mostly free to live out loud.
When a woman is bold, brave, outspoken, and knows what she wants, she’s labeled “too much.” Told to stay home, shrink, be “loyal” to family. How can we build ourselves, or our world, if we can’t step outside, learn, work, or contribute?
We respect our families - those who brought us into this world and the families we build- by honoring their individuality. We should respect every person in the world the same. Men have roles; women have roles. All of us are meant to contribute. So why tear each other down when we can lift each other up? If someone deserves respect, because they are good - they deserve it. We must teach our children from the start: respect roles, respect differences, respect each other. Abandon extreme tradition - it threatens our future generation.
⚖️ Equality Isn’t Sameness
To me, equality isn’t about everyone doing the same thing - it’s about everyone being valued the same. We’re not identical, and that’s okay. Women carry life. Men bear their own unique burdens. Strengths differ. Emotions show up differently.
But true equality means a man can cry without stigma.
A woman can lead without fear.
A father can nurture.
A mother can stand tall.
None needs to justify their place.
Islam reminds us: “Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female…We will surely cause them to live a good life” (Quran 16:97)
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, “Every one of you is a guardian and responsible”, emphasizing that everyone - male or female - has duties and roles to uphold. We are individually responsible yet collectively interdependent.
🚫 The Danger of Extremes
The moment we go from fighting for rights to fighting each other - we lose. Extremism, on either side, whether misandry or radical feminism, leads to division, not unity and that's where empathy dies. It becomes “us vs them,” when the truth is - we are all trying to heal from systems that never asked us what we needed.
Let’s not replace one broken narrative with another. Let’s rewrite it entirely.
❤️ A Personal Reflection
I’ve been told to stay quiet. To be “too much.” Too emotional, too outspoken - too everything. But I’ve also been thanked - for saying what many couldn’t.
I’ve seen incredible men support me - respect, protect, empower. I’ve seen women uplift men drowning in silence. That gives me hope. This isn’t about blame - it’s about betterment.
So no, I’m not here to fight men.
I’m here to tell us all: stop fighting yourselves.
To stop shrinking to fit roles we didn’t choose.
To breathe.
To be real.
To be kind.
To be whole.
True equality isn’t a battlefield. It’s a circle of respect, understanding, and shared humanity.
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