ThinkHer

Microfeminist actions often emerge as responses to daily frictions—small slights, subtle exclusions, and invisible burdens that compound over time. Take the workplace, for instance. A recent study shows that 40% of women reported experiencing microaggressions, harassment, or both at work in the past year [1]. Paired with the unequal load of domestic responsibilities, these experiences create a constant undercurrent of inequality. For many, microfeminist acts are a way to push back against these imbalances, to claim space, and to foster dignity in places that rarely offer it freely [2].  We tried to understand why our respondents chose these acts of microfeminism, hence we asked the question "   What motivates you to do these acts ?" Made in Canva We came to realise that for many, microfeminist acts arise from a deep frustration with how society continues to downplay women's authority, intelligence, and autonomy.   “It’s normalized for men to give their opinions ...

I first came across the term microfeminism while scrolling through Instagram reels. Microfeminism is all about the subtle, everyday choices we make that push back against ingrained gender biases and create more equitable spaces [1]. These acts may appear small—inviting women to speak first in meetings, or confidently taking space in public—but they carry the weight of intention and resistance. Change doesn’t always have to be loud or sweeping; often, it begins with these quiet but deliberate gestures. Made in Canva Though the word microfeminism has gained traction only recently (especially online), the concept—and even the term itself—has roots that go back much further. In a 1998 article from the book 'Wired-Up', academic Sue Turnbull explored how her students responded to everyday feminist practices [2]. Rather than aligning with broad, unified political frameworks, they were drawn to more grounded, personal actions that addressed gender dynamics in daily life. Turnbull noted...

An average woman (or a menstruating person) has periods approximately 500 times over a lifetime, that is almost seven years of their life, and 29 liters of blood [1]. Periods are such an ingrained reality of all of our experience, and yet we are not sure how it is supposed to be. The experience varies widely from person to person. Bleeding can last anywhere from three to seven days, with flow ranging from light spotting to heavy loss exceeding 80ml (which can be considered menorrhagia). Symptoms like cramps, bloating, and fatigue also differ significantly, leaving many to question what constitutes a “normal” period. Despite this variability, society has normalized period pain (dysmenorrhea), with many dismissing severe discomfort as an unavoidable part of womanhood—even when it disrupts daily activities like work or school. This dismissive attitude often leads to underdiagnosed conditions, such as endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), perpetuating stigma and delaying neces...