I have grown up in Soviet Union where women’s emancipation was part of political agenda from the 1920s. There was never, ever a feeling that I was not boys’ equal growing up in terms of academics or professional aspirations. Home environment was very different - lots of men were alcoholics, women carried all of the burden. My mother was deputy Head Teacher, wrestling my pissed father to the ground to get him to sleep. My friends’ families were the same or divorced.
I have lived in the UK for over 20 years. I am in a senior professional role, managing all male team. I am married to a wonderful man who pulls his weight. I have certainly felt insignificant as a woman on a number of occasions. One example would be being at the industry event, a Customer on the stand always heads for a bloke and assumes I am in Marketing.
But, I like it when men open doors for me and offer to help with the luggage. Sometimes, I pause at the door to let a man step in, just to see if he does it.
Not sure what the point of this post it is, certainly not to challenge awful stats on domestic violence or women’s rights in other countries. All I am asking is can you really be a feminist if you learn to pick your fights and still enjoy being treated like “a lady” on some occasions?