Feminism, in its essence, has always sought equality, not division. However, according to a recent study by the CIS in Spain, only 30% of women today identify as feminists, and more and more are rejecting this label. I don't want to think that this is because they have abandoned their belief in equality, but rather because of the perception of a discourse that does not represent them.
At the same time, a survey in Europe reveals that only 40% of men feel comfortable supporting feminism in its current state. Many perceive it as confrontational, a supposed threat to the status quo that jeopardizes traditional values rather than promoting equality. This distorted perception causes us to lose sight of the true nature of the movement: to build a world in which men and women fight together against inequality, rather than feeling attacked or excluded.
Shouldn't we celebrate the fact that women have gained a voice and space in all social, economic, and political spheres? As a society, we must transcend confrontation and remember that feminism, at its core, unites rather than divides.
Emma Watson put it this way recently in her speech at the UN: “Gender equality is a joint struggle that requires everyone's commitment.”
Whenever I have the opportunity to speak at a forum, I insist on the idea that feminism seeks to break down barriers of exclusion, not build new ones. Because, ultimately, anyone with even a modicum of social awareness is a feminist. Not because of ideology or labels, but because of a commitment to equality that does not threaten, but rather builds a more inclusive and just future.