by Bhumika Ghimire

Created on: March 05, 2007   Last Updated: February 24, 2009

After all these years of feminist movement, it is a sad reality that sexism still exists in America. In education, politics, media-you can see women being treated differently than men almost everywhere in this country.

Workplace discrimination has forced women to accept less pay than similarly qualified men. Every year there are women who come forward with their story of discrimination in pay, unfortunately change has been slow in coming. In recent presidential election cycle, this wasn't a big issue until John McCain-the Republican candidate opposed Equal Pay legislation. He instead suggested women should get better training. This shows how much work needs to be done to make the public understand and accept that women are being unfairly treated.

Politics-playground of America's rich, influential and ambitious is also riddled with sexism. It is not surprising considering the attitude portrayed by John McCain.

When hillary clinton decide to run, I was very excited to see that finally a woman has real chances of becoming president of the United States.Although I don't agree with her on many issues and the way her campaign was run, it still gave me and thousands of women in this country and around the world hope that a woman is capable of anything.For the feminist and women's rights movement and those who care about women,Clinton's candidacy and achievements during the election is a real milestone.

All the positives about Clinton's candidacy being said, it was really sad that to see that many people, including intellectuals, politicians and influential decision makers did not give her the same respect as they showed for a male candidate. Every step there were snide remarks about marriage, her capacity to be Commander-in Chief as a woman and comments that world leaders would not take her seriously.

While female candidate in the course of history have been treated as if they are somehow lesser than their male counter parts, the discrimination against Clinton was particularly revolting because she has a real shot in being the next president and considering that we are now in the 21st century not in the 17th. Sexist campaign targeted against her, I believe had lot to do with her losing the primary. No one said anything against those brought offensive sings against Clinton, in fact the media played it as something hilarious.

Sexism, is actually a curse upon our civlization. It stops women from achieving their full potential and in effect hampers the growth of entire world.

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