Mayaa SH who has lived by the slogan of "Vichaar"(Reflect) decodes the concept of Feminism. An activist, poet and author, she has spent most of her adult life raising voice against injustice and patriarchy and building a strong foundation of solidarity with women across borders.The unflagging feminist and communicator par excellence, Mayaa SH has left a unique imprint on the women’s movement across India. Her feminism is a nurturing one; even those who thought differently were touched by it.

A common definition of feminism is that women should be given equal social, political and economic rights and opportunities. The aim of feminism is not at all that we should take power from one gender and hand it over to the other gender. One of the meanings of feminism is that a woman should have the freedom to do whatever she wants to be in life. Feminism as vehemently viewed as a mission to look down upon the opposite gender in order to achieve incontrovertible rights is totally a doctrine of a rigid mindset. Feminism is a movement against misogyny and exploitation of women. Feminism is not just about achieving equality for women.

Feminism seeks equality for all. It is not limited to just one gender but it also demands equality among people of all religions, classes, castes. Feminism demands the right of every individual to live life with liberty, equality and dignity. But the reality is that even today feminism is seen as a controversial topic. Maybe it’s because many people have defined it incorrectly. That is why even today many people shy away from calling themselves feminist as the word itself is labelled by some fringe elements as either being egotistical or meant to go against the set norms of a civic society. Women who tend to stand for either themselves or for an equitable cause are not looking at a resolve that is meant to stand the testimony of time as being a rule breaker or forgetting their belief systems or principles in life.

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