I am a feminist.

'I read with interest the article about the decline in the number of women calling themselves feminists (Metro, Fri). There have been, and probably always will be, arguments and disagreements when dealing with the word 'feminism'. One thing is certain (yet most people seem to have forgotten): to say you are not a feminist is to say you are actually in favour of female oppression.

Feminism is not about burning your bra in the street. It is about women getting up in the morning and leaving the house to go to a job that pays them an actual wage. It is about women going to the polling station on the eve of an election and putting a mark next to their chosen political party. It is about women owning their own homes, being able to inherit, having access to contraception, going to school...

So when Netmums state that only one in seven women calls herself a feminist, I find myself thinking it is a sorry state of affairs that women have become to complacent.

Feminism is not a radical ideology. It is a word that means 'equality' and it has validated our lives. And it should never be forgotten. It should never be ignored. It should never be denied'

Laura Smith 


Thank you Laura for making my Tuesday morning. This is spot on.