Feminism means different things to each of us. It is as diverse in meaning as our multiplicity of experiences of gendered oppression are. Yet as a result the term has divided us as much as it has united us. Announced word of the year in 2017 by Merriam-Webster, the American Dictionary, feminism is increasingly a hot topic, yet the word itself is far from simple and it is increasingly acknowledged that the equality-focused movement has at times fallen into other prejudicial assumptions, ignoring intersections such as race or sexuality in individual women’s experience of oppression. Just this week Emma Watson raised awareness of intersectional feminism, credibly acknowledging the diversity of feminist experiences in the face of accusations, which she realised were far from unfounded, that she was a ‘white feminist’. Watson’s approach illustrates what the feminist movement needs: dialogue between women, sharing our different but united lived experiences to shape and change our societies.

“Legislative and redistributive agendas need to address gender inequality head-on [...] This, I believe, will be one of the biggest challenges that Western states will face”

My own feminist story started later than some; in Poland, my home country, the term itself is often still stigmatised. Describing oneself as a feminist remains a whispered secret among women, yet growing up in Poland I have known incredible women whom I most certainly have come to perceive as feminists. As a young woman, realising that being a woman does not, or at least should not, be a significant source of restriction was a landmark in my own personal, conscious feminist journey. My experience shows that perhaps we need to appreciate that the road to feminism is not singular, but personal and contextually and culturally dependent; always requiring, though to differing degrees, great confidence and bravery among women.

Feminism will remain context-dependent, whilst we are united as women we all experience womanhood differently. A successful feminist agenda will allow it to be just that, context-dependent. We can share goals whilst remaining different. Poland is an example of the effects that a gendered society has on the young. In a recent World Health Organisation publication, young girls in Poland were shown to have the lowest self-esteem of any in Europe, but such trends are not unique to Poland. As young girls, we are taught, often subliminally, that we should mould our bodies only to fit into male perceptions of femininity, to please men. The male gaze is unavoidable in contemporary society. In order to truly give women and girls the impetus and tools to define and own their own bodies and minds we need to start recognising the different experiences of women, allowing girls to define and discover themselves without bounds.

In academic discourse feminism has become divided: this should not be the case. Too often, I think, as feminists we get caught up in the theoretical distinctions between different factions or branches. Instead, for feminism to feel relevant to the everyday lives of individuals everywhere we need to focus on what we share. Feminism is a multifaceted ideology; it requires both difference and unity. We thus need to move away from the binary understanding of feminist schools.

Nancy Fraser, an American critical theory feminist thinker, reimagines what, in my opinion, is one of the most constructive visions of a new feminist agenda. Fraser argues for the recognition of feminism as a complex inter-connected web, comprising a plurality of principles, some of which are equality-focused, others difference-defined. Furthermore, she emphasises that for the state to address injustices in society most effectively it needs to account for the intersections in policy and law. Legislative and redistributive agendas need to address gender inequality head-on, acknowledging different experiences of oppression among different women. This, I believe, will be one of the biggest challenges that Western states will face in the future.

I don’t support simply an individualistic feminism, or conversely subscribe only to a structural call to arms. In fact, the painting of such approaches as inherently binary is part of the problem. Rather than feminism becoming singular in perspective, more women need to do as Watson has done: acknowledge their privilege, listen to other voices, and support and empower other women. We need to further the feminist cause everywhere, accepting that women are empowered in different ways in different contexts. Pushing a single feminist narrative excludes many women, only an inclusive movement can allow all women to feel strong and empowered on their own terms, not on the terms of men, and not on the terms of other, perhaps often more privileged, women