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When the Australian prime minister, Julia Gillard, this month openly criticised misogyny (leading to a change in the the dictionary definition of the term), her comments went viral and were praised by my male and female Facebook friends alike. This was because her statement was rooted in experiences, rather than rhetoric, and struck a chord with many people, regardless of whether they identified themselves as "feminist".
In contrast, a Netmums survey this month showed feminism irrelevant to the vast majority of women and girls in the UK. The survey drew out a disconnect between how women and girls perceive feminism, and their experiences of inequality and discrimination. It reminded me of when I first started researching the impact of gang violence on women and girls, and found myself attending feminist conferences feeling nervous about whether the heels of my shoes were too high while being inspired and supported by those who were taking the stage.
It was true then, as now, that I can find feminist arenas intimidating, and there is much about the movement I don't know. But it is equally true the discrimination faced by women and girls is felt regardless of whether we are comfortable with the label of "feminism", and this shared feeling needs to be harnessed.
Whether I have been speaking to young women who have been sexually assaulted, or girls who have been excluded from school and sent to exclusion units originally designed to work with boys, they have all clearly articulated the discrimination and inequality that underpinned their experiences. Would they have described themselves as feminists? Most would not. Is it possible to reconcile this mismatch? Most definitely.
Answers to the Netmums survey implied there was one sole feminist movement that females had shunned. I find this a curious idea. Over the seven years I have worked on the issues faced by women and girls, I have yet to encounter a sole feminist movement. There is definitely a perception that there is a single feminist movement, and that its rigid approach to achieving equality is exclusive and outdated.
However, what I have experienced is far more nuanced than that. While the perception of feminism may have left me nervous about wearing high heels, in reality that has never really mattered. I have challenged feminist conferences and organisations to consider the changing experiences of girls and young women, and urged women to ensure there is space for younger females to explore a feminism that is relevant to them – and this challenge has been welcomed.
Whether it's authors such as Caitlin Moran or young women campaigning against page 3, there are examples of those who continue to raise awareness of discrimination.
When I took part in the first ever international day of the girl on 11 October, I was greeted by many girls and young women who could identify discrimination and wanted to make a positive contribution to improving the lives of women. Harnessing this motivation for change is critical, and attempts to force this into a debate about feminism may be the wrong approach to take.
In 2013, the UN Commission on the Status of Women will focus on violence against women. Ensuring that girls and young women are aware of this, and are encouraged to take part – rather than watch older women from the sidelines – will enable them to have a stake in tackling the discrimination that is part of their lives.
