A Tribute To The Cookin 'n' Cleanin Feminists

A friend of mine said that Virginia Woolf would grimace at what Kenyan women have reduced feminism to, that is, equality in the cooking and cleaning duty roster at home. The likes of Virginia Woolf and Ethel Smyth fought for economic, social and political equality that we women enjoy today and we shall forever be grateful. I, however, have been thinking about this new craze about- apparently its the fourth wave of- feminism. Yes, women can now vote, inherit property, become political leaders and hold the same jobs a man can. But are men and women truly equal? If they are, what are these fourth wave feminists fighting for or against?

In my opinion the fourth wave feminists are fighting against mindsets and culture. There are laws set up to alleviate the position of women yet they are not abided to, primarily because as a society, we are still stuck on the ideals that a man and woman cannot be placed on the same level economically and socially. Although women are being empowered, many of them are still urged to make themselves smaller or lesser than the men in their lives lest they bruise the egos of these men. Personally, as a 20 year old still trying to figure out what it means to be a woman, I know I have experienced this. I have worn false humility (or is it modesty?) so that I don't come out as too smart or too aggressive or so that I don't come off as an 'ajua' as my friends would say. Maybe what this fourth generation feminists are fighting for is a mentality in society in which every individual views men and women as having the same capabilities and being able to achieve the same things. Maybe they are fighting for people to view every individual as a human being first than at their gender. In this way, there will be true equality.

However, people may argue that men and women were created differently. Their wiring and structure definitely is different and therefore, may not be able to perform the same tasks with the same level of skill. This is true; men were designed to be more muscular than women; women were designed to be birthers; and how men think is completely different from the way women think. They even have a couple of different hormones, men and women. But I don't believe that the varied wiring and plumbing of women from men affects their ability to become great leaders, politicians, CEOs, inventors and every other job that has been traditionally left for men. I also don't think that because it is believed men have a tough time expressing emotions that they can't be great care givers.

The Kenyan feminists must also believe that men can be great care givers. Why would they fight so much for equal sharing of household chores? I don't understand why this shouldn't be a feminist fight. For our children to view men and women as equals, shouldn't they see their parents treating each other so? This means that the way spouses speak to and treat each other is important. Also, it is important to practically show children that no job is too small or big for them, by both parents taking part in household chores. Studies show that a child's worldview is formed in the first five years of their existence. Therefore, whatever is implied through the actions and words of a child's first caregivers is vital in teaching about gender roles and role allocation in society.

My friend is tired of all the Kenyan feminists out there. The more I think of feminism, the more I am convinced that there is a place for these women who have been silenced in ways different from the times of the first generation of feminists. So I guess this is for these feminists, fighting for social equality, fighting in your homes, at the office or wherever. We need more of you. Keep on.