It seems like my memo got lost somewhere, and apparently, today is International Women's Day. 

Learning today's occasion inspired me to do a piece about feminism, and why it's an important progression in this era's political climate.

Right now, I do feel like I'm cramming an essay that is due tomorrow though. It feels like the old times back in high school. But the only thing now is I have to impress a couple of readers, not just one teacher.

I've placed a lot of thought on what I think feminism is, and one word keeps popping off my mind - a REVOLUTION. If I were to define feminism, it is a revolutionary movement inspired by women for women at a time where we are seen as more of a commodity, or an accessory for men. Now, I know this patriarchal mindset hasn't been totally eradicated even until now, but still, history would tell us how this movement has shaped our society into what it is now - progressive and inclusive. One notable act that this movement has achieved is the granting of suffrage for women. Before the 20th century, women weren't allowed to vote, because the society believed that women shouldn't involve themselves in politics. They say women are too emotional to become leaders. But what is so wrong with being emotional? And why did we stereotype women to be emotional? Do men not have emotions? Do men always use logic? I don't think so. As seen today, especially with the current situation, countries with women leaders have better crisis management than countries who have men as their leaders. But before this piece gets sidetracked to become a man vs woman dialogue, let's get back to the topic at hand.

In the early 1900s, women began to realize that in order to effect social change, they must gain political power. This was the first wave of feminism. It was also in this time where women were given the right to vote. However, as anti-feminists groups emerged during the inter-war years, it created a division among feminists. When some felt that equality has been reached, they focused now on women's needs as women. With this, two groups of feminists were formed - the new feminist (who were focused more on being traditional, like being at home and being a mother) and the equality feminists (who basically fought that women should be equal to men in all aspects of life).

The second wave of feminism focused more on sexual politics, when they realized that the very fabric of why it's hard to penetrate (no pun intended) equality among men and women is the dominant patriarchal society. People begin to question what equality would achieve.

The third wave of feminism started in the 1990s and it focuses more on self-expression and embracing one's individuality. This is also where inclusivity among all types of women were created.

With the emergence of internet, the fourth wave of feminism is now focused on calling out misogyny and sexism in all types of media. We now challenge everyone's perception of our current society. I believe intersectional feminism has become widely popular now, even though I think it started in the 1990s, because of how technology is able to reach thousands of people through the internet.

A feminist is someone who supports and believes in the equal rights of all genders. Most people I believe get the wrong notion on feminism. They think it is all about women, and focuses more on women's everyday struggles in living in a widely patriarchal society. Yes, we have progressed from the era where women have less rights, but only when we, as a society, attain that zero discrimination towards one another will we say that feminism has fully achieved its goal. With that being said, feminism encompasses every gender, every race, every ethnicity because its very core is INCLUSIVITY. We aim to be in a society where everyone is given the same opportunities and rights regardless of who and what they are.