Women's Day reminds us why feminism must not lose its bite

„We still have to be careful that as feminism broadens its appeal, it does not lose its force, its bite, its ability to create real change. International Women's Day began in a solid socialist movement, and as it moves more towards the middle ground that obviously changes its temper. But I am heartened by the strength of the demands being made on all sides. Although my first reaction to the Equals film was a laugh, when I listened to it I felt grim again. The facts that Dench tells us are not new to many of us, but it still hurts to hear again that millions of girls worldwide are deprived of a basic education or that two women a week in the UK are killed by a current or former partner. These realities remind us that for all its achievements, feminism has produced an unfinished revolution.

Too often it is implied that feminism is some kind of western construct that we should be wary of exporting to the rest of the world. This argument is simply ignorant of the work that women have done and are doing throughout Africa, Asia, and South America to fight for their rights. In the charity I founded, Women for Refugee Women, I work alongside women from many different countries and cultures who have come to the UK for sanctuary from persecution. None of them would have any truck with the idea that human rights are less important to them because Mary Wollstonecraft didn't write in their language.

So it's good to hear Annie Lennox, who is taking a leading role in International Women's Day activities this year, point out that from India to Illinois women face violence just for being female, or to realise that if you join one of Women for Women International's bridge events today you will be at just one of hundreds of events worldwide, from Afghanistan to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. If today shows something of the strength of those who seek genuine equality, as well as the scale and importance of what remains to be achieved, then it will be a day well spent.”