Feminism today: what it means and why it’s still essential

Fierce & Free: Feminism & Women’s Rights
Written By Daughter of Fire

Let’s get real. Feminism isn’t some dusty old idea or a niche hashtag. It’s a living, breathing, unapologetic movement, and it’s needed now more than ever.

The world is still drowning in misogyny, inequality, and bullshit power plays. Feminism is about demanding equal rights, safety, and respect for everyone - no exceptions, no apologies. It’s not about hating men or asking for special treatment. It’s about calling out injustice wherever it hides and tearing down the bullshit systems that keep inequality alive.

What Feminism Actually Means Today

Today’s feminism is intersectional or it’s nothing. That means it doesn’t ignore how sexism mixes with racism, classism, ableism, homophobia, and all the other -isms that stack the deck against people. Real feminism fights for all voices, especially the ones historically pushed to the sidelines or silenced altogether.

It’s about tearing down the old, fucked-up systems and building something better. Something fair.

“Feminism is about justice. It’s about giving survivors a voice and smashing the systems that keep them quiet.”
— Grace Tame, activist and 2021 Australian of the Year

Why Feminism Is Still Essential

  • The Pay Gap? Still Real.
    Women, especially women of colour, are still getting paid less for the same damn work. Equal pay isn’t a favour, it’s a fucking right.

    In Australia, the gender pay gap sits around 13.8% as of 2023 - which means, on average, women earn nearly 14 cents less for every dollar a man makes (1). And that gap only widens more for Indigenous women and those from marginalised communities.

    Equal pay means getting paid the same for the same work, or work of equal value. That’s been the law here since 1969.

    So why does the gender pay gap still exist? Because it’s not just about “like for like” jobs. The gap shows the average difference in pay between women and men across entire industries and organisations, and it uncovers a bigger problem: women are underrepresented in higher-paying roles, face systemic barriers to promotion, and deal with wage discrimination that’s harder to spot but just as real.

    It’s not just unfair. It’s bullshit. Time to fix it.

  • Violence Against Women Is A Pandemic.
    One in three Australian women experience physical violence, and one in five experience sexual violence in their lifetime (2). That’s not just a statistic - it’s a brutal reality that feminism fights to end.

    That number is truly unfathomable. Imagine the scale of trauma, fear, and pain that so many women carry - often in silence, often without the justice or support they deserve. This isn’t just about individuals; it’s about a society that still fails to protect its people from violence and abuse.

    Every statistic represents a story - of survival, of loss, of resilience, and too often, of systemic failure. It’s a reminder that violence against women isn’t an isolated problem. It’s deeply woven into the fabric of our communities, institutions, and culture.

    Feminism is about demanding more than awareness. It’s about demanding real, systemic change. Change that uproots the attitudes and structures that enable violence to continue unchecked. Because safety isn’t a privilege or a bonus, it’s a fundamental human right. And until every woman can live without fear, the fight is far from over.

    If you or someone you know is struggling, services like 1800RESPECT offer confidential support and counselling 24/7. No one should face this alone.

  • Reproductive Rights Are Under Constant Attack.
    Access to abortion, contraception, and healthcare is constantly being chipped away - especially for women in rural, Indigenous, and marginalised communities. Feminism says: autonomy over your own body is sacred. No one gets to decide what you do with it.

    In Australia, while abortion is legal across all states and territories, access remains patchy. More than half of rural women report difficulties accessing reproductive healthcare, including abortion services. Indigenous women face even greater barriers, with fewer clinics nearby and limited culturally safe care options.

    Contraceptive costs and availability still pose challenges, too. About 18% of women aged 25-30 reported not using contraception despite not wanting to get pregnant, often citing reasons like cost or access, or side effects (3). And let’s not forget, reproductive rights aren’t just about healthcare - they’re about freedom, dignity, and control.

    Taking away bodily autonomy isn’t just cruel - it’s a power play designed to control women’s futures. Feminism fights to protect these rights fiercely, because owning your body is the foundation of freedom.

  • Representation Still Sucks.
    Women and marginalised genders are at nowhere near enough tables, let alone running them. Right now, women hold less than 38% of seats in Australia’s federal parliament (4). Let that sink in. Less than half. Indigenous women? Even less representation. It’s not just a numbers game, it’s a glaring sign that power still looks like a boys’ club.

    We keep hearing calls for “diversity” and “inclusion,” but talk without action is just noise. Because leadership and decision-making spaces that don’t include women and marginalised genders are making choices that leave most of us out in the cold. They’re shaping policies, laws, and culture without the full picture.

    Real change means smashing systemic barriers, dismantling outdated power structures, and centering voices that have been ignored for too long.

  • Toxic Masculinity Hurts Everyone.
    Toxic masculinity isn’t just “boys being boys” - it’s the lame-ass script that tells men to suck it up, act hard, and hide any hint of softness. It’s the same tired nonsense Andrew Tate and his crew scream to keep control by shaming feelings and pretending toughness means dominance. Newsflash: real strength isn’t about punching walls or talking down to people.

    This crap traps everyone. Men get stuck in silent battles with their mental health, women and marginalised people pay the price, and communities miss out on genuine connection.

    True strength is breaking that cycle - showing up with honesty, respect, and equality. Feminism calls out toxic masculinity because it’s about smashing the power structures that reward harmful behaviour and keep us stuck in outdated bullshit.

“The real change starts when we stop treating violence against women as a private problem and start treating it like the public emergency it is.”
— Jess Hill, author of See What You Made Me Do

Feminism isn’t a trend

Here’s the truth: feminism isn’t just a cute label or a buzzword to sprinkle on your socials. It’s a daily practice. It means showing up - even when it’s uncomfortable or messy. Calling out bullshit whenever you see it. Lifting up marginalised voices instead of talking over them. Holding yourself and others accountable.

It means recognising your own privilege and doing the hard work to unlearn internalised biases and systemic lies. Feminism demands honesty, courage, and action - not performative allyship or empty hashtags.

Busting the Bullshit: Common Feminism Myths, Debunked

Misconception: Feminism is about hating men.
Reality: Nope. Feminism is about equality - demanding the same rights, respect, and opportunities for everyone. It’s not a man-hating club; it’s a freedom club.

Misconception: Feminism means special treatment for women.
Reality: Nope again. It’s about fairness. Equal pay for equal work, equal access to healthcare, and equal say in the boardroom.

Misconception: Feminism is only for women.
Reality: Hell no. Feminism fights against all the outdated systems that box everyone in - men included. It’s about tearing down toxic roles, stereotypes, and power imbalances that hurt us all.

Misconception: You have to be perfect or “woke” enough to call yourself a feminist.
Reality: No one’s perfect. Feminism is messy, it’s a process, and it’s for anyone who’s ready to question, learn, and push back against bullshit.

Misconception: Feminism is just about women’s issues, not men’s mental health or wellbeing.
Reality: Feminism understands that rigid gender roles harm everyone. Breaking those chains means more freedom, honesty, and emotional safety for all genders.

Misconception: Feminism is dead or no longer needed.
Reality: As long as pay gaps, violence, and discrimination exist, feminism is very much alive, and urgent. It’s evolving to fight the new battles while standing on the shoulders of the fierce warriors before us.

Time to Stop Talking and Start Doing

Ready to show up? Here’s how to make it count:

  • Vote for people who actually give a damn about equality - your future depends on it.

  • Put your cash where it counts - support groups fighting gender-based violence.

  • Get smart and spread the word - read, listen, share the real deal.

  • Call out sexist nonsense whenever you see it - silence helps no one.

  • Back women and marginalised creators and businesses - your wallet is a power move.

No more sitting on the sidelines. It’s time to rise up and make some waves.

“When women lead, politics stops being a boys’ club and starts being a people’s club.”
— Annabel Crabb, political journalist

Your Turn: What Does Feminism Mean To You?

This movement is bigger than any one person - but it’s also personal. What does feminism mean to you, right now, in your life? How are you showing up? How are you pushing back?

Daughter of Fire https://daughteroffire.com
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