Feminism — the F-word that makes more men and women cringe than the infamous four-letter word we use all too frequently. But why? At the core of the matter is not opposition to women’s equality, but rather, the stigma attached to the term “feminist.” According to a CBS News poll conducted in May 2005, only 24 percent of American women consider themselves feminists. However, when the dictionary definition of a feminist was included in the poll question — someone who believes in the social, political and economic equality of the sexes — 65 percent of women said that they considered themselves feminists. Therefore, it seems as if most American women oppose the stereotype associated with the feminist label, not what feminism actually represents.

Furthermore, this hesitation and reluctance to identify oneself with feminism varies by generation. Many older women believe that women of our generation take our rights for granted. We’ve grown up accustomed to female suffrage and reap the benefits of affirmative action, Title IX and, Roe vs. Wade, without having put in the work ourselves. Therefore, while we may agree with the goals of earlier feminist movements, it can be difficult to identify with all the relevant circumstances impacting the movements of the times. Though this may be true to a large extent, I disagree with those who regard women of my generation to be post-feminists. The term post-feminism implies that equality has been achieved, a statement which trivializes the struggles American women face daily.

The Daily Beast Sexism Poll conducted by Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates (PSB) in Nov. 2008 revealed that 63 percent of women felt that the media is biased against women, 68 percent of women reported sexual discrimination in the workplace and 72 percent of women believed that women are treated unfairly in politics. Thus, it is clear that we have a long way to go until men and women are deemed equal in the political, social and economic spheres in this country.

It is easy to talk about feminism in regards to the U.S., to individual circumstances and to the gains American women have made and the struggles we continue to face. However, women’s movements, whether deemed “feminist” or not, are occurring all over the world, particularly in developing countries.

This coming Sunday, Mar. 8 is the annual International Women’s Day, which celebrates the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future around the globe. IWD began in 1908 in New York City when 15,000 women marched to demand improved working hours, pay, and the right to vote. It has since been celebrated annually. This year, there are 729 IWD events taking place in 49 countries. In some countries including China, Russia and Vietnam, IWD is now a national holiday. Though each country elects to choose its own individual theme for IWD, the United Nations theme for IWD 2009 is women and men united to end violence against women and girls.

I fear that we, as Americans of our generation, in distancing ourselves from feminism and its inherent associations, have subconsciously detached ourselves from the worldwide women’s cause, one that is largely humanitarian and cannot afford to be politicized. Whether you believe in the equality of the sexes or not, there is a sense of human rights and self-worth connected to this year’s IWD theme that is in desperate need of recognition.

This year, Cornell is hosting an International Women’s Celebration from Feb. 24 to Mar. 11 to debate, discuss and spread awareness about the challenges women face every day all over the world. Events include numerous speakers, film screenings, performances of The Vagina Monologues and the first ever 2009 Cornell Women’s Summit on women’s issues in global health and development. So for this week, set aside your personal prejudices towards feminism, and participate in the global movement to eradicate violence against women, a cause impacting all men and women alike, regardless of ideological perspective.