You’ve probably heard the word feminism in many contexts. Unfortunately, as with all movements, people lose sight of its meaning. They think the movement is just for one group, one class or race and that the struggles of others aren’t to be welcomed into this space. Let’s be clear: feminism is a movement for the liberation of all females. 

Intersectionality was a term originally coined in 1989 by US professor and civil rights activist Kimberlé Crenshaw to highlight society’s oppression towards black women. It revolves around the idea that we as people, and perhaps as a movement or society, are fundamentally composed of many different intersecting aspects and identities. Therefore, there may be different barriers and enablers for different people. No one is defined by one aspect of their identity.  

An unfortunate reality is that many become so focused on western feminism or even only white female lead feminism, we forget that even if western equality is achieved, we forget that there is still a long way to go for women of colour. While all women are susceptible to facing gender-based discrimination in health care and its horrifying consequences, this is amplified for women of colour. Black women in the United States are 2.5 times as likely to die from medical malpractice than white women. It is also important to acknowledge that western ideas of ‘freedom’ can be different in other countries. While women in countries such as Afghanistan have had the freedom of choice taken away from them, which is another reason to include feminism besides western versions in your advocacy, their right to choose includes choosing to cover their hair or body. Whether they wear a hijab, a burqa, a niqab, or another option, it is in their right as a woman to choose to do that. We need to stop assuming that western ideas are the center of feminism.  

Intersectionality isn’t just about ethnicity, sexuality, and gender, it’s also about including plus sized and disabled women in feminism as well. All women face immense scrutiny over their body from society, why should we as women create more? Over the years the body positivity movement has continued to take hold, but not for all. With ‘skinny chic’ coming back into the media, plus size women are being judged more and more by others who know nothing about them in the name of ‘health’, not to mention the stores that are slowly removing their plus size clothing. Accessibility in feminism events is highly important too, whether it’s a physical disability, neurodivergence, or chronic illness there is no excuse for leaving people out of the conversation. Are your events accessible? Do your posts include closed captions? Do you leave women out of the conversation because they don’t fit into your acceptable social norms? 

Perhaps one of the most debated intersectional identities in the feminist space recently is transgender women. Trans radical exclusional feminists, also known as TERFS, are a group of feminists who believe that there is no space for trans women in feminism, using it as a thinly veiled excuse for transphobia. Let’s be clear, trans women ARE women, therefore transgender women do not pose a threat to women’s rights. The fight for equality for women and for the trans community can co-exist.  

Acknowledging the intersectionality of feminism is essential in the continued fight for the rights of women everywhere. When we argue over the validity of someone’s participation in the movement, or who is more important to it, we forget what the real problem is: the patriarchy. This oppressive system relies us turning on each other, because if we remain divided, they will remain in power.