Feminism as a social movement is dead. Women earn less than men because they're failing to capitalise on their looks. It is easy to take the arguments of Catherine Hakim out of context and paint her as several decades shy of the 21st century. Listening to the author of Honey Money: The Power of Erotic Capital on Start the Week (Radio 4), special on feminism, it was tempting to think that she might make better sense given time and depth. Not the case. In a debate chaired by Anne McElvoy, Natasha Walter, Finn Mackay and Shereen El Feki (author of this week's new buzz book, Sex And The Citadel) all chipped in to discuss the problems faced by women across the world, countered predictably by Hakim's thoughts on the problem with women.
The most interesting perspective came from El Feki who talked about feminism and social change in the Middle East. That, plus Viagra. (Apparently a common present for Egyptian newlyweds. Who knew?) "You've been talking about the pay gap," she said to a panel unable to agree on whether it still existed. "For women in the Arab world, we actually have a work gap. Only 25% of women across the Arab region have jobs." A reality check for anyone assuming that feminism, or how to be a woman, is a one size fits all philosophy. In the end, the debate wasn't particularly vigorous despite Hakim's attempts to spin sensationalist baloney into less sensational radio.
More lively was the Hard Talk podcast, where Stephen Sackur did his best to convince Gloria Steinem that "most women in developed western societies" don't think like her because they've already achieved "democracy in the home". Feminism, as Sackur insisted, is redundant now isn't it? Steinem graciously laughed in his face. "Are you kidding? Do men raise children as much as women?" Unfazed by her evidence or her 50 years' experience as an activist, Sackur ploughed on. Would she say her "tough upbringing" was to blame for her radical feminism? Wasn't it strange to feel so positive about an abortion she had at 22? Steinem was glorious in response, Sackur unrelenting. It was a great interview.
