ZARA MUMTAZ

B.A.LL.B. (Hons.) (Sem. I)(Regular)

Political Science I

20185344

FEMINISM

Feminism is a movement associated with the doctrine of advocating rights of women equal

to those of menthe movement aims to define, establish, and defined equal political,

economic, and social rights for women across all spheres. Feminism promotes gender

equality and opposes the perpetuation of gender discrimination in economic, political,

legal, and social structures. In addition to it feminism also seeks to establish equal

opportunities for women in the fields of education and employment. It is essentially

normative and reforming or anarchistic movement.

The question which arises is that what was the reason for feminism? In earlier times

women’s were deprived of basic rights such as the right to vote or right to ancestral

property. They were kept at bay from politics and higher education, and their existence

were limited to doing household course. Physical violence and emotional abuse by men

was customary. It was this gross injustice that prompted women to raise against the

oppression they faced, and collectively assert their rights. This is because gender is one of

the main factor that divides the society.

All feminist are of the view that understanding of gender is crucial to understanding of

society. All the social structures that are based on gender casts women as inferiors. It

creates a hierarchy with men at the top and women at bottom which is commonly known

as patriarchal society. The word ‘patriarchy’ simply means rule of the father. Simply put,

this is a kind of society that advantages men and disadvantages women. Therefore

patriarchy society to unfair to women and needs reforms.

Feminist differ in their view as to the sots of change that are necessary for some legal

change sufficient – for example, so that women are protected by anti discrimination

legislation. For other, change in social norms are needed, such that women are no longer

seen as destined for motherhood and domestic work. For still other feminist, even deeper

change is needed because patriarchy is rooted deeply in our attitudes and preferences.

Nonetheless, all feminists share the goal of gender equality. They want men and women to

have an equal status and to equal respect. For most feminist an important part of gender

equality of opportunity and for many greater equality of recourses is also needed ‘feminine’

behavior.

Feminist activist for campaign for women’s rights- such as in contract law, property and

voting while also prompting bodily integrity, autonomy, reproductive rights for women.

Feminist campaign have change societies, particularly in the west, by achieving women’s

suffrage, gender neutrality in English, equal pay for women, reproductive rights for women

and the right to enter into contracts and own property. Feminist have work to protect
women and girls from domestic violence, sexual harassment, and sexual assaults. They

have also advocated for women work place rights, including maternity leave, and against

forms of discrimination against women’s 1. Feminism is mainly forced on women issues

but because feminism seeks gender equality some feminist argue that men’s liberation is

necessary part of liberation and that men are also harmed by sexism and gender roles.

WAVES OF FEMINISM

FIRST WAVE FEMINISM:-

It refers to women’s suffrage movement of late 19th and early 20th century. Its exponents

argued that men and women were equal as regards their intellectual and emotional

capacities and needs the rights enjoyed by men should be equally extended to women. In

their view, women’s interest were not reducible to those of their husband.

SECOND WAVE FEMINISM:-

It refers to the resurgence of activists feminism in late 20th century, particularly in 1960s

and 1970s.its exponents attacked on male violence towards women, particularly sexual

violence. They rejected feminine norms such as sexual submissiveness and participation in

beauty practices. They advocated the liberation of women from the enforced domesticity

and insisted on establishing female sol datary and sisterhood.

1 O.P. Gauba, An Introduction to Political Theory ( 7th edition)

POST FEMINISM:-

It insisted that women should see themselves as agents and not as victims within the

existing social system. Focus on the incidence of violence against women would undermine

their real role.

The exponents of post feminism argue that sexuality should be considered a liberating

force, all consensual sex should be celebrated. In their view, there is no clash between

sexual equality and participation in beauty practices and gender dress. Women should focus

on their material equality with men.

Feminism initially started to keep women equal rights as men from the 19th century to the

21st century the position in society has undergone a change. Women have progressed in

every field and can be found in every sphere possible at are with men. Though of condition

f women in 21st century is remarkable better than the condition of women in 19th century.

There exist a class of women who are still deprived of their basic rights.

Feminism in the 21st century has become more of a fashion statement. What started out as

a strong and supportive initiative has turned into fancy time pass for most women now.

Especially since most of the times feminist movement like slut walk, mee too campaign

are associated with over the top and over expression of sexualism it might turned out to be

a perfect ticket to a restless girl’s fifteen minutes of fame.

Where feminism will go from here is unclear, nut the point is that feminism, by whatever

name, is alive and both in academia and outside of it. Some older feminists field

discouraged by the younger generation’s seeming ignorance of or disregard for the

struggles and achievements of the early movements. They see little progress and are fearful

that the new high/healed rent-red lipped college girls are letting us back slide. This

however, is not likely the case. There have always been feminism in movement, not just

one ideology, and there have always been tensions, points and counter points. The political,

social and , intellectual feminist movement have always been chaotic, multi balanced and

disconcerting; and let’s hope they continue to be so ; it’s a sign that they are thriving and

growing2.

Currently, there are broad views concerning equal rights for women :one view is that there

is no difference between men and women as regard their capabilities; hence they should be

governed by the same laws and another view is that women are essentially different from

men- biologically, culturally and socially; they should be given equal opportunities to

develop and apply their distinctive capabilities along with equal rights. Thus women could

be exempted from hazardous tasks, like underground mining and working in night shifts.

2Geert Hofstede, Masculinity and Feminity The taboo dimensions of national cultures
(Sage Publications, London)