Scarlett Curtis

take offence at those who want to criticize the feminist movement when they themselves have done nothing to move the needle forward on equality. I am offended by those who are nostalgic about the second wave of feminism or the first wave and claim that today’s feminists aren’t fighting real wars. Let me be clear: as women, as gender-nonconforming individuals, our rights are under assault right this very moment. Our bodies have been sexualized, objectified, touched without our consent; our agency over our bodies is not respected. We are in a perennial state of defence because there is war being waged on us from all fronts.

are fighting for equal pay and against tokenism masquerading as equal representation, while still battling for the right to inhabit streets and public spaces without being assaulted or groped. We are fighting for the right to make choices over our own bodies, for the right to education, for the right to life. We are fighting and screaming and shouting and mobilizing and strategizing and advocating and lobbying, all so that we can be treated as equal citizens.

And for those feminists who have been on the forefront of activism for long enough, they know the truth. We fight and fight on, all so that we can have small wins. We take five steps forward, our bodies and minds bearing the battle scars of the costs we paid and sacrifices we made, only to look around us a few years later and realize we have taken three steps backwards. And yet we cling on to our resilience and show up the next day. We are tired, we are exhausted, but still we continue. Because we are fuelled by anger. We are fuelled by a desperation for equality.