Mary-Jo Hill

08 Mar 2022
A recent survey by Ipsos and the Global Institute of Women's Leadership found a third of men in the countries surveyed think feminism does more harm than good (32%) and that traditional masculinity is under threat (33%). While theses numbers are uncomfortably large, it’s still worth recognising the fact that the majority of men don’t feel this way.

There is a debate that underpins all democracy and one that needs to be revisited more often than we think.

The image of this young girl conveys surprise, shock, awe and fear. Many of us can identify with those emotions right now – and today more than another day. A recent survey by Ipsos and the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership at King’s College, London, found a third of men in the countries surveyed think that feminism does more harm than good (32%) and that traditional masculinity is under threat (33%). A fifth of men (23%) believe feminism has resulted in men losing out in terms of economic or political power or socially (am still trying to work that one out).

While these numbers are uncomfortably large, there is an enormous celebration to be had on International Women’s Day that the majority of men don’t feel this way. Are you one of these champions? If so, then today is actually more about you than any woman or women in your life. So today I am calling all sons, brothers, cousins, uncles, fathers, grandfathers and great grandfathers: it is you, who are more able to enlighten your male counterparts than any other woman can for obvious reasons. Sharing and voicing your belief in social, economic, and political equality of the sexes is more important than remaining supportive and silent.

A century ago..

A century ago a woman could easily have been locked up for expressing her thoughts and opinions.

This happened yesterday. It is happening today and will happen tomorrow in Russia for both men and women, young or old. The values of democracy and freedom of speech are under global assault. Today the lens to view this through is the lens of gender.

What is your internal dialogue?

So, are you still reading this? Just saying because 1 in 5 men in Britain really do think that gender inequality doesn’t exist. One in 10 women also think the very same thing. Does feminism do more harm than good? Do you agree that there is still progress to be made, or do you not even see the inequality? All thoughts welcome.