Why is Feminism Perceived as Implying Privilege Rather than Equality?

An open discussion on ‘Why is Feminism Perceived as Implying Privilege Rather than Equality?’  was organized by the Women’s Development Cell of Miranda House on 27th January, 2016. Smita Khanowja from Action Aid International and Dr. Bijaylakshmi Nanda were the panelists. Students of various colleges like Kirorimal College, Ramjas College as well as from IIT, Delhi were present and initiated the discussion by talking about their own views on feminism and how they perceived feminism. The discussion was taken further by Smita Khanowja, when she pointed out why we are actually ‘privileged’. It took us a lot of struggle to reach this current stage. Those women who have had a chance to get higher education are ‘privileged’ since they can voice their opinions and raise their voices when they feel discriminated against, ‘privileged’ because only 14 percent of female population gets higher education. Higher education helps us raise our voices against oppression. Another point raised was that it is not only women who are oppressed, it’s the characteristic of being ‘feminine’ that is attacked.

The discussion then turned to re-thinking the notion of ‘privilege’ and ‘feminism’ and addressing the problems experienced by women in the personal sphere, in their daily lives. This can only be done by reaching out to more women and standing up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. It is possible because of waves of feminism that today we have special reservations in the public sector and certain legal provisions for women. It is now the responsibility of those 14 percent ‘privileged’ women, to apply feminism as a world view.