The Catalyst Collective

For so many years feminism and intersectionality are issues that have been affecting women and girls over race,age,ethnicity and color over the years the meaning and aim of Feminism and Intersectionality Feminism have been misinterpreted and misrepresented. In this article we dive deep into the meaning of Intersectional Feminism and Why It Matters.   Feminism is a range of social political movements and ideologies that aim to define and establish the political, economic personal and social equality of the sexes feminist movements have campaigned and continue to campaign for women's rights including the right to vote run for public office work and n equal pay on property and receive education to mention a few    Crenshaw 1980 intersectionality is a theoretical framework for understanding how various social identity such as rest gender sexuality and class intersect and interact to create unique experiences of oppression or privilege  Intersectionality is a way in which...

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has long been a cornerstone of global development efforts, particularly in advancing gender equality and women's empowerment. However, recent decisions to halt or reduce USAID funding and operations have sparked significant concern among feminists and gender equality advocates worldwide. This move has far-reaching implications for feminism, not only in terms of funding but also in the broader struggle for gender justice and women's rights. USAID's Role in Global Feminism USAID has been a key player in supporting feminist initiatives across the globe. Its programs have focused on: Economic Empowerment:  Supporting women entrepreneurs, improving access to credit, and promoting equal pay. Health and Reproductive Rights: Funding maternal health programs, family planning services, and combating gender-based violence. Education:  Increasing access to education for girls and women, particularly in underserved regions. ...

The hit Apple TV+ series "Severance" presents a chillingly plausible premise: surgically separating an individual's work life from their personal life. While the show explores this concept in the context of corporate employment, it begs the question: what if this technology could be applied to the experience of pregnancy? For many women, pregnancy can be a physically and emotionally demanding experience, fraught with discomfort, morning sickness, and significant lifestyle changes. The idea of "severing" oneself from the physical and emotional realities of pregnancy, while still experiencing the joy of motherhood, might seem appealing. This hypothetical scenario raises profound questions about the nature of motherhood, the mother-child bond, and the very definition of parenthood itself. Arguments in Favor of Pregnancy Severance: Alleviation of Physical Burden:  Pregnancy can take a significant toll on a woman's physical and mental health. Severance could offe...

Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) is a cornerstone of health equity, gender equality, and economic development. In Zambia, the demand for SRHR services—ranging from contraception and maternal health care to education on sexual health—has grown significantly in recent years. Yet, navigating this landscape remains challenging due to a lack of centralized information about service providers. This is where an SRHR Service Providers Registry can be transformative. What Is an SRHR Service Providers Registry? An SRHR Service Providers Registry is a centralized, publicly accessible database that lists and categorizes providers offering sexual and reproductive health services. It would include information about: The type of services offered (e.g., family planning, STI testing, counseling, etc.). Provider qualifications and certifications. Facility locations and contact information. Accessibility for marginalized groups, including adolescents and persons with disabilitie...

In an era where gender equality has become a global rallying cry, the rise of male feminists seems like a step in the right direction. Men aligning themselves with feminism, advocating for equal rights, and challenging patriarchal norms is undeniably a good thing—on the surface. However, beneath the applause lies a growing discomfort with the phenomenon. Why? Because too often, the male feminist trope veers into something less noble: performative allyship, unchecked privilege, and, sometimes, outright betrayal of the cause they claim to support. What Is a Male Feminist? At its core, a male feminist is someone who supports gender equality and actively advocates for dismantling systemic barriers that oppress women and marginalized genders. True male feminists use their privilege to challenge toxic masculinity, advocate for equity in all spheres of life, and amplify the voices of women without centering themselves. But the ideal doesn’t always match reality. Instead, the "male femini...

Why Acknowledging This Matters Dismissing women’s experiences—or arguing that “not every woman has a story”—invalidates the pervasive reality of gendered harm. It also allows harmful behaviors to continue unchecked. It Gaslights Women’s Experiences : Suggesting that women are exaggerating or that their stories aren’t universal perpetuates the myth that the problem isn’t systemic. It Shifts Accountability : When the focus is on defending men or questioning women’s experiences, we lose sight of the behaviors that need to change. It Silences Conversations : Women who feel invalidated or doubted are less likely to speak out, allowing the cycle to continue. What Can We Do Instead? The goal isn’t to instill fear but to foster awareness, empathy, and change. Here’s how: 1. Believe Women When a woman shares her story, listen without questioning or minimizing her experience. 2. Recognize the Systemic Issue This isn’t about individual “bad men” but about a culture that enables harmful behaviors ...

TikTok, the social media giant known for its short videos, has become a cultural powerhouse. Its influence spans entertainment, politics, education, and activism, giving a platform to voices that might otherwise go unheard. But the growing calls for a TikTok ban in the United States have sparked heated debates. While concerns over data privacy and national security are at the forefront of the discussion, many overlook an important consequence: banning TikTok could significantly impact feminism and the fight for gender equality. TikTok as a Platform for Feminist Discourse TikTok has become an unexpected but effective tool for advancing feminist ideas. It has allowed feminists to organize, educate, and reach broader audiences in ways that traditional platforms often cannot. Here’s how TikTok has empowered feminism: Amplifying Marginalized Voices : TikTok’s algorithm promotes diverse content, which has helped amplify the voices of women, particularly those from marginalized communities. B...

Parenting is a deeply personal experience, but it often comes with cultural scripts, gendered expectations, and societal pressures. Among these is the phenomenon of some self-identified "boy moms" who not only celebrate having sons but openly express disdain—or even relief—at not having daughters. While the joy of parenting boys is entirely valid, the narrative that raising girls is somehow burdensome or undesirable perpetuates harmful stereotypes and reflects deeper societal biases. What Does It Mean to Be a "Boy Mom"? The term "boy mom" is often used affectionately by women raising sons to describe the unique energy, challenges, and joys of parenting boys. Social media has amplified this identity, creating a community where mothers bond over muddy shoes, endless snacks, and rambunctious play. While there's nothing wrong with celebrating the experience of raising boys, some "boy moms" take it a step further by framing the absence of daughter...

In societies across the globe, traditional masculinity often comes with unspoken rules: don’t cry, be tough, and solve your problems alone. These norms may seem empowering on the surface, but they contribute to an emotional isolation that many men experience throughout their lives. While awareness about mental health and emotional well-being has grown, many men still struggle to find spaces where they can express vulnerability without fear of judgment. The need for safe spaces and support systems specifically designed for men is greater than ever. These spaces are essential not only for personal growth but also for healthier relationships and stronger communities. The Silent Crisis: Men and Emotional Isolation Men are frequently conditioned to suppress their emotions. From childhood, they are often told to “man up” or “stop acting like a girl” when they express sadness or fear. This suppression leads to: Mental health challenges:  Men are less likely to seek help for depression, an...

Racism in healthcare is one of the most insidious forms of discrimination, where the very systems designed to heal and protect lives instead perpetuate harm and inequality. Medical racism, deeply rooted in historical biases and structural inequities, continues to disproportionately affect marginalized communities, often with fatal consequences. From misdiagnoses to unequal treatment and outright neglect, medical racism is a sinister force that not only undermines trust in healthcare but also costs countless lives. It is imperative to examine how this issue persists, its consequences, and what must be done to dismantle it. The Historical Roots of Medical Racism Medical racism has a long and disturbing history. In the era of slavery, Black people were subjected to unethical medical experiments under the guise of science, with no regard for their humanity. For instance: The Tuskegee Syphilis Study (1932-1972):  Black men were denied treatment for syphilis so researchers could study th...