33 "Microfeminism" Practices People Swear By

Now, if you go to Google and type microfeminisms, you might not find a precise definition. And based on the comment section of the viral video, not many people have heard about the term either. So, what is it?

Feminism itself is about believing in and working towards equality between men and women. It's not about one gender being better than the other - it's about everyone having the same rights and opportunities. It’s about making sure that females get treated the same in society, in politics, and at work.

For instance, many people advocate for a woman’s right to make decisions about her own body, including access to contraception and safe, legal abortion. For many years, women have fought for greater representation in leadership roles, including politics. An increase in the number of women in diverse roles at all levels amplifies their voice in the decision-making processes. Other movements like equal pay, maternity rights, and health access work towards creating a more inclusive society.

While significant efforts are being made to address these larger issues, we can't overlook the smaller, yet equally impactful, instances of discrimination and misogyny against women. From casual remarks to inequalities in the workplace and public spaces, women deal with microaggressions in their day-to-day lives. And pushing back against these small injustices can be seen as microfeminisms.

In many households, it's common for people to assume that the women will keep the house clean and tidy. Even if both partners work full-time jobs, it's often the woman who takes on the majority of the housework, including cleaning, laundry, and cooking. As per the Gender Equality Index 2021 Report by the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE), employed women spend an average of 2.3 hours per day on housework, while working men dedicate about 1.6 hours to household chores. Asking men questions like "Did you clean all this by yourself?" reinforces the stereotype that cleaning is primarily a woman's responsibility.

At work, when female colleagues present an idea during a meeting, they might be interrupted and offered a detailed explanation of the same concept, as if they don't know what they are talking about. "Mansplaining is rarely intentionally vicious; it's far more likely to arise from a place of patronizing. Because the mansplainer assumes they know more, it increases the chances of viewing a co-worker as less knowledgeable and, thus, less competent," said Jessica McCall, Ph.D., an English professor at Delaware Valley University, in Pennsylvania.

A study from the Harvard Business Review showed that female Supreme Court justices are more frequently interrupted by their male counterparts and advocates during oral arguments compared to their male peers. Such incidents undermine a woman’s expertise and contribution to the discussions at work.

In this situation, a microfeminist action would be for others to let the female justice speak without interruption. This not only lets them have a chance to fully participate but also gives them the same respect and attention as their male counterparts.

Casually making unsolicited comments about a woman’s body is also not acceptable on any occasion. Imagine you are attending a family wedding and your aunt comments on your weight, saying things like, "You've put on some kgs, haven't you?" in front of other relatives. Not only does this make you feel embarrassed but also self-conscious. We should refrain from commenting on women's bodies, whether it's to give positive or negative compliments.