Week Thirteen: Feminism

Feminism in the West

Feminism had begun in the West in the nineteenth century, but it globalized within the twentieth century. These women had one goal and used different techniques to achieve it. Some included writing books that focused on having control over one's body and equality on employment and education. Others, like the French, took direct actions and even went against the law saying they all had abortions even though it was illegal. It brings me hope and joy to hear examples like this because many people think women are weak and can not fend for themselves. One manifesto from 1969 stated: "We are exploited as sex objects, breeders, domestic servants, and cheap labor. We are considered inferior beings, whose only purpose is to enhance men's lives" (1151). Depending on how some women viewed their oppression, some preferred direct action while others preferred political lobbying. However, it was harder for African American women to fight among Caucasian women. African American women wanted "solidarity with black men, rather than separation from them [because it] was essential in confronting a racist America" (1152). 

Feminism in the Global South

There was a major difference between the women in countries such as Asia, Africa, and Latin America and the women in the U.S. and Europe. The issues these countries faced were not solely gender based; in fact, men asked for the women's help. However, it is still frustrating that even when the groups succeeded, women who were apart of the movement were relegated to marginal positions. But fortunately, Eastern and Northern Africa saw significant results. Women in Eastern African made large amounts of self-help groups where they supported the community with schools, births, dispensaries, etc. Then "some became revolving loan societies or bought land or businesses", so women could buy their own land (1152). In Northern Africa, Morocco's feminist movement went against the country's Family Law Code that define women as minors. Eventually, the code was changed and women were equals and were allowed to initiate divorce and claim child custody. 

International Feminism

 When the United Nations declared 1975 as International Women's Year and the next ten years as the Decade for Women, multiple nations had "ratified a UN Convention of the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women" (1153). The hope of spreading women's legal equality was becoming a success. However, there were divisions. There were issues on who would be the spokesmen and the North and South had conflicts. The North primarily focused on political and civil rights while the South wanted to include issues of economic justice, decolonization, and disarmament as well.  Also, some groups were against women's equal rights. Muslim delegates thought the exposure of women went against their religion and even an American called feminism a "disease" (1155). Though feminism was still growing, it was very diverse within each country. 

I thought this section of interesting because it displays how different "feminism" can mean to different people. Each person fighting for feminism has their own version of creating equal opportunity. As long they are all fighting for the same cause, a change can happened like it has today. Women have a lot more rights than they used to; however, it is still trying to be fought against. It is very infuriating. Men and women should be equal, it's that simple.