–– Lennox Kalifungwa

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As shrill chants echo through the air and half-naked bodies move with faces twisted in fervor, an outsider might wonder what kind of place they’ve stumbled into and who these people are. But as cries of “my body, my choice” and “smash the patriarchy” resound, the scene begins to make sense—this is a Women’s March, a feminist rally where propaganda is wielded to incite mass disruption. The Women’s March, now a global phenomenon, has taken root on the African continent. Though African feminism carries its own distinct emphasis and pedagogy, it remains deeply entwined with the radical principles that birthed the movement.

Feminism, often heralded as a movement to uplift and promote women’s rights, is an ideology that has caused more harm than good. Its legacy, deeply rooted in atheistic Marxist theory, has led to the loss of millions of unborn lives, the breakdown of family structures, and a fundamental distortion of the roles of men and women in society. While some argue that feminism’s original intent was noble, it’s crucial to understand that the movement has always been destructive. The narrative that early feminism was virtuous is a fallacy—a revisionist attempt to sanitize its dark history.

At its core, feminism is incompatible with and spiteful of Christianity. The two worldviews cannot coexist without contradiction. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, a key figure in the feminist movement, once declared that “the Bible and the church have been the greatest stumbling block in the way of women’s emancipation.” This statement underscores the rebellion against God that feminism embodies, a rebellion that seeks to dismantle the very structures that God designed for the flourishing of humanity—marriage, family, and the distinct roles of men and women.

Feminism’s impact is not limited to the advocacy for the genocide of preborn children, though that alone is a tragic legacy. It has also contributed to the crisis of transgenderism, blurring the distinctions between men and women. The ultimate goal of feminism appears to be androgyny—the erasure of all differences between the sexes. This pursuit represents a cultural and spiritual death, an attempt to eradicate the Imago Dei by redefining what it means to be human. By distorting humanity’s perception of God’s image, feminism propagates a culture of sterility and death, convincing women to reject their God-given role as nurturers and persuading men that their responsibilities as protectors and providers are obsolete.

One particularly chilling account comes from Mallory Millet, who in the 1960s observed a feminist gathering led by her influential sister, Kate Millet. The meeting began with a series of questions aimed at galvanizing their mission: “Why are we here today?” “To make revolution,” came the reply. “What kind of revolution?” “The Cultural Revolution.” “And how do we make Cultural Revolution?” “By destroying the American family!” “How do we destroy the family?” “By destroying the American Patriarch,” they cried. “And how do we destroy the American Patriarch?” “By taking away his power!” “How do we do that?” “By destroying monogamy!” Their final answer was even more startling: “By promoting promiscuity, eroticism, prostitution, and homosexuality!”

This radical agenda, often masked as a movement advocating for women’s rights, has done more to undermine and cheapen the values and structures that allow societies to flourish. Feminism is not a necessary idea to rescue and value women; God and His holy Word are sufficient for that. In fact, feminism perpetuates the very corruption, discord, and rebellion it claims to address.

So, how can we combat feminism and cultivate true femininity? The answer lies in returning to the inerrant and sufficient Word of God. Scripture is clear that men and women are distinct, and these distinctions are good. God designed men to be strong, wise, responsible, courageous, and leaders in their homes, churches, and societies. These qualities are foundational to a flourishing society and should be celebrated, not shamed. Masculine glory is the firm hand under which everything true, beautiful, and good flourishes. It should be embraced and upheld as a foundation for free and flourishing societies.

Similarly, God designed women to be helpers, nurturers, life-givers, and child-bearers—pouring themselves into serving, building, loving, and beautifying everything around them. When a woman steps outside of this design, it dishonors her and defies God’s mandate. There are things God does not permit women to do for their own good and God’s glory: to fight in wars, to govern as civil magistrates, to rule over their husbands, to abandon their homes, to be immodest, or to preach or assume church leadership.

To resist feminism and cultivate true femininity, Christians must also embrace and delight in these God-given distinctions. Men must embrace their roles as protectors, providers, and leaders, while women must nurture, care, and beautify everything and everyone around them. Furthermore, Christians must build a culture of life and fruitfulness, rejecting the world’s attempts to promote sterility and death.In conclusion, feminism is not the path to true peace or fulfilment for women. Instead, it is a destructive force that undermines the very foundation of society. By returning to God’s design for men and women, we can cultivate true femininity and build a culture that honors and glorifies God in all things. God is not a feminist, and as His image-bearers and redeemed children, neither should we be.