The F Word.

01.02.12

5Culture

When did Feminism become insulting?

Annie Lennox addressing Oxfam's Circle in Milan, earlier this year.  Photograph by Francesca Fago

Through the happenstance of birth and circumstance, my life has benefitted from certain rights and resources that I unwittingly took for granted for many years. I was born in Scotland - a country that gave me access to education, decent medical care, decent housing, sanitation, transport, legal rights, the democratic vote…etc..

Through the happenstance of birth and circumstance, millions of other babies of my sex in other countries did not receive the same rights and resources.  Decades before my birth, thousands of women realised that they were regarded as subservient in comparison to the opposite sex. They had few rights in terms of empowerment, protection and ownership. Those women decided to take action to transform the situation, not only for themselves, but for future generations. 

Among millions of other female babies, I inherited the benefits of their vision, dedicated work, perseverance and sacrifice. I bow my head to them. Every Western woman owes them so much - as do our daughters.

When I encounter women born into and living in chronic and endemic poverty, in (so called) developing countries, who have no access to education because people cannot afford to send their girls to school, and education for girls is not looked upon as a priority, I envisage myself in their situation, and wonder how I could cope with the unimaginable challenges they face on a daily basis.

When I consider global gender disparity in terms of  human rights, sexual and reproductive rights, legislative rights, I find it  absolutely staggering that so little has changed for so many for so long. 

The term "feminism" has been twisted, smeared, and degraded over the years. While my generation of Western women have received the benefits of feminism, many of us recoil from the word, as if it was something to be ashamed of. The irony leaves me incredulous, especially when there is still so much more to be done in terms of women's rights on a global scale.

In my view, the F word urgently needs to be reviewed, revamped, reconsidered and revalued.

Why? Consider these six facts…

Now ask yourself..Are you a feminist? If not, why not? What is it about the word that still makes you cringe?