It’s easy (too easy, actually) to get stuck in thoughts about how far feminism has to get til we’re all “free”…. I feel tired just thinking about it. In honour of the 16 Days of Action Against Violence Against Women, I’d like to make space and talk about the successes of feminism. I asked 16 feminists to share their thoughts.

The biggest success of feminism is………….

1. Love. Specifically teaching and showing us how to love each other in this world.
2. Raising awareness about women’s rights and oppression.
3. That we, as women, know it to be true that we are the core of community.
4. Understanding intersectionality, inclusion, and a true definition of diversity.
5. Helping individual people see how their experiences fit into a bigger socio-political picture and thereby inspiring collective action for change.
6. The ability for women to ally with other women.
7. Respecting, believing, and creating space for survivors to heal.
8. Riot grrrls, validation and getting that there’s no wrong way to have a body.
9. Exposing patriarchy as the root cause of violence against women.
10. Self worth.
11. Strength of resistance
12. Sadly too dependent on one’s geography
13. The growing awareness that surrounds it and our ability to discuss feminism openly and publicly.
14. Reflected in every girl who received an education.
15. Love!  Big, radical love for people who don’t fit… or don’t want to fit… or think we shouldn’t have to fit the mould that patriarchy left us.
16. ____(insert your answer here)______

By Sharon Milewski

Watch WAVAW’s video on the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women