New Waves of Feminism and Our Culture Css Essay

Feminism is the name of a movement that demands equal rights and opportunities for women in all spheres of life. The movement was first emerged in 1830's and since then it has successfully secured rights for women in society on many occasions. Feminists have divided the success history of movement into different chapters, commonly called as waves. First wave of feminism that emerged in early 20^th century, asked for equal contract and property rights for women. Second and Third wave of feminism, that emerged in 1960’s and 1990’s respectively, broadened the scope of demands put by the first wave. At present, Fourth wave of feminism is in work. Some of the demands of Fourth Wave feminism clearly contradict with cultural values of most of the Islamic countries. In such case, a thorough analysis of the demands of new waves of feminism is a must before making any opinion about them.

New Waves Of Feminism And Its Demands

The new wave of feminism, that has emerged somewhere in 2012, demands more rights and liberty for women. Fourth Wave feminism is centered on inter-sectionality. It demands greater political representation, more business opportunities, liberation, greater recruitment opportunities, equal pay for same work, legal protection against sexual harassment, nullification of quota system and greater bodily autonomy.

Contradictions With Pakistan's Cultural Values

Some demands of new wave feminism contradicts with the cultural values of Islamic countries, including Pakistan. Some of these controversial demands of new waves of feminism are given below.

• New waves of feminism demands greater bodily autonomy for women. This means a woman should be free of all kinds of social and cultural restrictions in control over her body. This in other words would means negation of all kinds of modesty principles. A movement based on the same idea was launched in Pakistan by feminist activists in collaboration with some Non Governmental Organizations ( NGOs) with the slogan of “Mera Jism, Mere Marzi” meaning ‘My Body, My Control’ which failed blatantly due to severe criticism by the general public.
• These feminist waves also seek greater social change in the country. This can be proved from placards and views of participants of the Azadi March, held in Pakistan in March 2019. Participants demanded greater freedom of mobility for women in society and freedom in making relations of any kind with other members of the society. Some members of the demonstration even demanded the nullification of “Nikkah” condition for making conjugal relations. Pakistan, being an Islamic country cannot afford such experiments that aim at redesigning the social structure of the country.
• Whereas #MeToo movement highlighted many gender based issues in the country, it also led to the development of blame game. We saw many people blame others for sexual harassment in working and public places without providing any tangible proof. In this way, the platform of #MeToo campaign was exploited by some members for personal agendas.
• In democracy every member of state has the right to demonstrate and present his/her demands before the government and public but within the limits of social and moral values. Members of Azadi March had placard and banners full with immoral slogans and paintings. Such move not only weakens their position but also spread antagonistic sentiments among the general public against them.
• Islam has bestowed all legal rights to women hundreds of years ago. Rights such as those related to property, politics, education, marriage and others have been given to women in Islam 1400 years ago. Therefore we should adopt and grant only those rights out of new waves of feminism that are in assimilation with the principles of Islam. Those rights that are clearly against Islamic principles, such as right of divorce for women, greater bodily autonomy, freedom in making conjugal relations and others cannot be adopted.

Conclusion

We have our own code of conduct and cultural values. We can adopt only those principles of West that do not contradict with ours. Only those ideas of new waves of feminism should be adopted that are beneficial both for the country and society and that assimilated with our cultural values. New waves of feminism has many useful ideas and demands that if adopted would not only bestow more rights on women but will also prosper our country.