Feminism

Main

Feminism is a range of socio-political movements and ideologies that aim to define and establish the political, economic, personal, and social equality of the sexes. At its core, feminism seeks to ensure that women have the same rights and opportunities as men in all aspects of life, viewing these as fundamental women's rights and human rights. For example, feminism advocates for equal pay for equal work, regardless of gender, fighting against gender discrimination and restrictive gender roles.

There are many different types of feminism, including:

• Liberal feminism: Focuses on achieving gender equality through political and legal reform within the existing system

• Radical feminism: Argues that the root cause of women's oppression is patriarchy and advocates for a fundamental restructuring of society

• Socialist/Marxist feminism: Connects women's oppression to capitalist exploitation and argues gender equality requires an end to capitalism

• Black feminism: Emphasizes the unique challenges faced by black women and the importance of intersectionality

• Ecofeminism: Draws parallels between the oppression of women and the destruction of the environment

Terms

• Gender discrimination: Prejudicial treatment of an individual based on their gender, especially against women

• Gender equality: The state of equal ease of access to resources and opportunities regardless of gender, including economic participation and decision-making

• Gender roles: Socially constructed roles, behaviors, activities and attributes that a given society considers appropriate for men and women

• Patriarchy: A social system in which men hold the power and women are largely excluded from it

• Women's rights: The rights and entitlements claimed for women and girls worldwide; they formed the basis for the women's rights movement in the 19th century and the feminist movements of the 20th and 21st centuries

Analogy

Imagine a race where half the runners have to wear heavy boots while the other half gets to wear sneakers. Even if everyone runs their hardest, one group is always going to be at a big disadvantage. Feminism is about making sure everyone gets to run the race of life wearing the same sneakers - so it's a fair competition based on individual merits, not an uneven playing field based on gender.

Misconception

A common misconception is that feminism is about putting women above men or "hating men". However, feminism isn't about bringing men down - it's about lifting women up to the same level. The goal is equality, not female superiority. For example, some people might say, "I'm not a feminist because I believe in equality for everyone". But that's exactly what feminism is! Feminism simply focuses on gender equality specifically, since that's an area where there's still a lot of work to be done.

History

The history of feminism can be divided into four main waves:

1. Pre-18th century: While there is a long history of women advocating for their rights, early works like Mary Astell's "A Serious Proposal to the Ladies" (1694) and Mary Wollstonecraft's "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman" (1792) are often seen as precursors to the feminist movements that followed.

2. First wave (19th and early 20th centuries): Focused primarily on women's legal rights, particularly the right to vote (women's suffrage). Key figures included Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

3. Second wave (1960s-1980s): Broadened the debate to include sexuality, family, the workplace, reproductive rights, legal inequalities, and official recognition of rape and domestic violence. Simone de Beauvoir's "The Second Sex" (1949) was a major influence.

4. Third wave (1990s-2010s): Continued the work of the second wave but with a greater emphasis on diversity and intersectionality. Recognized that women are of many colors, ethnicities, nationalities, religions and cultural backgrounds.

5. Fourth wave (2010s-present): Characterized by its focus on sexual harassment, body shaming, and rape culture, often driven by social media activism like the #MeToo movement. Also emphasizes intersectionality and greater inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community.

Throughout this history, feminists have used the language of women's rights and human rights to advocate for gender equality. They have fought against gender discrimination and restrictive gender roles in pursuit of a more just and equitable society for people of all genders.

How to use it

1. Speak up when you witness gender discrimination, whether it's a sexist joke or unequal treatment at work. Explain why it's not okay.

2. Support policies and legislation that promote gender equality, like equal pay laws, reproductive rights, and protections against sexual harassment.

3. Be mindful of gender stereotypes and work to break them down. Encourage children to pursue their interests and talents regardless of whether they're considered "masculine" or "feminine".

Facts

• Women earn about 82 cents for every dollar men earn, based on median hourly earnings globally.

• Over 2.7 billion women are legally restricted from having the same choice of jobs as men.

• Women make up only 25% of national parliamentarians worldwide.

• 1 in 3 women experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, mostly by an intimate partner.

• Women spend about 2.5 times more time on unpaid care and domestic work than men do.