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So you think there’s no need for feminism or to campaign for equal rights for
women? Then please take a moment to consider the following facts:
• Women account for two-thirds of all working hours
and produce half the world’s food, but earn only 10% of
global income and own 1% of property.
• Though women make up half the global population,
they represent 70% of the world’s poor.
• Women and girls aged 15–44 are more at risk from
rape and domestic violence than they are war, cancer,
malaria and traffic accidents.
• At least one in three women around the world have
been beaten, coerced into sex or abused in their lifetime.
• Between 1.5 million and 3 million girls and women
die each year because of gender-based violence.
• Between 700,000 and 4 million girls and women are
sold into prostitution each year.
• 99% of maternal deaths occur in developing countries,
with women dying of pregnancy-related causes
at the rate of one a minute.
• Women account for nearly two-thirds of the world’s
780 million people who cannot read.
• 41 million girls worldwide are still denied a primary
education.
• Globally, only one in five parliamentarians are women.
This appalling list of gender inequity and injustice could
go on, but by now you might have read enough to be
convinced that there are several compelling reasons to
acknowledge and support the empowerment of women
and girls.
Imagine a world where every female can actually realise
her right to live free from violence, to go to school, to
participate in decisions and to earn equal pay for equal
work. For me, these are the essential goals of feminism;
and ultimately the reason why men and boys must
come on board to achieve this vision with us.
From a personal perspective, I am keenly aware of the
benefits I’ve received from the generations of women
before me. We have all inherited the freedom, privileges
and rights our great-grandmothers could only have
dreamed of and I am indebted to the sacrifice and dedication
of the suffragette movement, whose tireless
work ensured that future generations of women could
vote and have better lives and opportunities.
Over the past few years there has been a definite shift
in awareness concerning the infinite challenges still
facing women at every level. In the UK, until recently,
women’s magazines generally wouldn’t touch feminism,
as it was deemed to be passé and uncomfortable,
almost needing to be whispered apologetically
and avoided.
Just a couple of months ago across British news
stands, the f-word took pride of place in the bold
headlines of four glossy magazine covers. A minor victory
perhaps, but a definite indication of a change in
attitudes.
While I feel encouraged by this rising interest in the
usage of the word feminism, I also realise that talk
is cheap. It can be divisive and polarising, diverting
us from the real issues at hand. Action is what is required,
whether it be educational, societal, political or
personal. We need to become the change we want to
see, by participation and action. Everyone can take
responsibility and have a part to play when it comes
to emancipation, empowerment and transformation.
By: Annie Lennox
©The Guardian