Let’s not use it, declared some women, as we will alienate our male comrades.

I remember this kind of survey in the late 1980s, when it was 50% who had difficulties with the term feminist. The good news is that they made up less than 20% of the participants. Read more in Daily Maverick : “ International Women’s Day 2022: Cheap talk, empty promises ” In one survey, some women who believed in gender equality had reservations about calling themselves feminists. Gender Links, in partnership with other organisations, is holding a series of online dialogues, from August to December, on “Demystifying Feminism”, with survey questions. For me and many women it means gender equality and freedom of choice. Perhaps we do need minimal consensus, though, of what feminism means. There is no hegemony of view, no ownership of one angle to August. Media, and men, can jump on board to be a progressive force for change by using the term feminist.ĭifferent meanings are attached to Women’s Month: from pampering oneself and drinking champagne to highlighting the gender pay gap and celebrating women’s empowerment or decrying the lack thereof, especially of freedom of movement and safety (such as the Krugersdorp gang rape that happened on the eve of Women’s Month) and calling out the hideous statement by Police Minister Bheki Cele that one of the raped girls was “lucky” it was just by one man.ĭifferent meanings and understandings are normal in a robust democracy. Alienating and controversial for those who fear gender equality, giving up privilege, losing unearned entitlements?Īs long as we have inequality we will need feminists and feminism, and August’s Women’s Month is an opportunity for this rallying call.

Mainstream media avoid using the term, apparently for fear of being “alienating” or “controversial”. I will never understand why some have a problem with the term feminist.

We should all be a feminist