Feminists are often regarded as ‘man haters. The term creates a negative connotation which often gives rise to an atmosphere of fear and hate, and essentially tramples on the virtues and lessons that a feminist engenders.
And for some part of her life, Dorrin Irvin felt the same.
However, a chance meeting brought her closer to Kamla Bhasin, an Indian developmental feminist activist, poet and author.
The late Ms Bhasin’s message to Ms Irvin and other young girls was simple: feminism is for everyone and does not necessitate hating others.
This simple analogy changed the 26-year-old’s perspective on life, and brought to life her intention to pursue a career in Fiji’s feminist movement.
“Before I came to understand the meaning of feminism, I never regarded myself as a feminist and I was so scared even to say that “I am a feminist” as I thought feminists were women who hated men,” the Rabi lass says.
“I was fortunate to be part of the global course on gender and feminism by Sangat Feminist Network taught by the late Kamla Bhasin. She said ‘you don’t need to hate men to be a feminist or hate other women who are not feminists’. It is very clear that the fight is not against men but against patriarchy and its associated evils – violence, discrimination, and oppression. Feminism is for everybody”.
“After hearing this from her, I understood feminism, regarded myself as a feminist and most importantly, she made me believe in myself, my dreams and future.”
Today, Ms Irvin is the deputy coordinator for the Emerging Leaders Forum Alumni (ELFA), a wing of the Fiji Women’s Rights Movement (FWRM).
“I identify myself as a young Banaban Women, a feminist and activist,” she says.
“I hail from Rabi Island, born and bred in the friendly town of Labasa. I value having the principles of equality, love, respect, accountability and humanity.
“I am a graduate of FWRM’s young women’s leadership flagship program known as the Emerging Leaders Forum (ELF), and the globally renowned Sangat Feminist Network Course on Gender and Feminism.
“Through these, I have also been able to influence feminist spaces in Fiji as an ELF Alumni. During my childhood, the person who strongly influenced me in my life was my mother.”
She says her journey started in September, 2019, after she joined the organisation as a program support officer. This later sparked her interest in leadership roles and subsequent entry in the ELF program.
“Since I come from a very conservative background, my aim was to join a feminist movement to eliminate all forms of discrimination against all women and girls in Fiji. “The ELFA has also grown from strength to strength with an established secretariat and the successful implementation of its projects and advocacy campaigns in raising awareness on the needs of young women.
“As of 2022, we have a total of 125 diverse women who are part of the network (ELFA) and are passionate about eliminating all forms of violence and discrimination against women and girls.
“The biggest challenge I face is trying to implement change within my community. Society can still be quite patriarchal, and often, people are hesitant to defy the norms already set.
“Initially, it was very challenging to start a discussion with my elders about changing the perception of women in my community. This was because, not only was I young, but it seemed like I was trying to change the values they we were brought up in.”
Despite the challenges, Ms Irvin says her work is rewarding as the younger generations of her community have become empowered through advocacy work. However, she says still more work needs to be done.
“The most enjoyable aspect of my work is that I continue to create change within my bubble, and also joining and supporting other feminists, activists and human rights defenders in Fiji to dismantle patriarchy.”
Now, she plans to pursue her Masters in the field of feminism and gender. She also urges young women and men not to be scared of feminism.
“Rather, try to understand it and the principles that it embodies and also to continue to strive to leave the world a better place than you found it.”
