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Riya Patel

Professor Greenlee

ENGL 112

16 March 2023

Women’s Freedom

Everyone should have access to freedom because it is a fundamental human right,

regardless of a person's race, gender, faith, or political views. It entails being able to make

decisions for oneself, communicate with oneself without worrying about retribution, and go

about one's daily business without interference from outside forces. However, achieving

universal freedom is not always simple, and there are still lots of people in the world who do not

have access to this fundamental privilege. Because of governmental oppression, societal

prejudice, or economic inequality, some people are deprived of their independence.

To ensure freedom for all, we must work to create a more just and equitable community

that respects the rights and humanity of all people. This petition requests the development of

democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, as well as the equitable supply of economic,

medical, and educational possibilities for all. We must also recognize and remove structural

barriers that prevent some groups from fully benefiting from freedom. This involves confronting

issues such as racism, sexism, and other forms of prejudice and attempting to undermine the

power structures that sustain these inequities.

The basic freedoms established by the Bill of Rights, which is comprised of the first Ten

Amendments to the US Constitution, include protection against arbitrary searches and seizures,
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freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and the right to keep and carry weapons. The

government's power is restrained by these rights and safeguards, which guarantees that people

are free to express themselves and live their lives without fear of retaliation or tyranny. “Are the

markers of exclusion and discrimination like gender, race, religion, sexual orientation,

socioeconomic status, and disability any more mitigated than before many of the constitutions of

the world proclaimed fundamental rights and freedoms due to everyone?” (Heymann, et al.,

Pg.18). Rather than falling into the trap of claiming constitutions are the only answers,

Advancing Equality shows the potent role they can play in tackling disparity. This outstanding

evidence-based research easily identifies the critical uses of written constitutions around the

globe. Some constitutions, as expected, are older and sparse, or at best only implied in

acknowledging the equal value of all individuals.

Before the 19th Amendment, women were usually excluded from political life, and most

states did not give them the right to vote. The ratification of the 19th Amendment signaled a

watershed moment in the United States' fights for gender equality. It paved the way for other

advances in women's rights, such as access to education, employment, and reproductive

healthcare, and it provided women with new opportunities to engage in the legislative process.

Even before women were given any rights they were seen as properties of their husbands.

This then allowed the men to do anything to the ladies including abuse, using them for sexual

pleasure, domestic violence, and many other incidents. “Upon marriage, a woman’s personal

possessions became her husband’s and he could dispose of them in any way he wished during his

lifetime or in his will. He was, in general, also entitled to all the personal property his wife might

acquire during the marriage.” ( Fernandez, Pg.42). Married women were also not allowed to
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participate in business on their own as "sole owners" or enter into contracts without their

husbands' approval. Even when there was a divorce, the children were given to the father.

Women in abusive marriages confronted numerous challenges and hurdles in the 1800s,

and they had very little freedom to leave their circumstances. For starters, divorce was not

generally recognized at the time and was frequently regarded as a shameful and scandalous deed.

In many countries, women have been officially deemed the property of their husbands and had

no legal standing or privileges of their own. They had no legal remedy to defend themselves or

their children from violence or mistreatment as a result. Domestic violence shelters, hotlines, and

support organizations did not exist at the time, and women in need had few choices. Despite

these obstacles, some women were able to flee abusive relationships.

"The Story of an Hour," a compelling short story by Kate Chopin, explores women's

freedom and the social constraints that limit their individuality and agency. The plot revolves

around Louise Mallard, a woman who discovers her husband's death and has a short moment of

happiness at the possibility of living her life autonomously. Chopin depicts Louise as a woman

who is constrained by the societal expectations put on women during this period throughout the

tale. She's described as having "heart problems," which is most likely a reference to how social

standards have put a strain on her mental well-being. Louise has a short moment of liberation

and pleasure after learning of her husband's demise. She fantasizes about a life where she can

live on her terms, free of the constraints of matrimony and social obligations. This sense of

liberation, however, is short-lived, as she discovers that her spouse is not, in fact, deceased. Her

goal of freedom is dashed, and she dies of a heart attack, possibly as a result of the shock and

sadness of this news. The tale implies that women are not truly free until they can live on their
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terms, free of social expectations and marriage demands. Finally, "The Story of an Hour" is a

potent meditation on the value of women's freedom and agency, as well as the various ways in

which these liberties have been denied to women throughout history.

Women in the nineteenth century had limited access to education, were limited in their

job options, and were expected to perform conventional gender roles as spouses and moms.

Women also lacked the right to vote and had restricted civil and property rights. Furthermore,

domestic abuse and sexual harassment were frequently overlooked or trivialized by society.

Women now have access to schooling, and there are fewer barriers to job possibilities. Women

are now more prevalent in typically male-dominated areas such as science, technology,

engineering, and mathematics. There have also been major advances in women's rights,

including the ability to vote and legislative protections against discrimination. Women have also

made strides in leadership roles, having positions of authority and impact in politics, business,

and other areas.

In the speech, Hillary Clinton claimed that women's rights are human rights and that

gender-based prejudice and violence are not only injustices but also violations of human rights.

“Women must enjoy the right to participate fully in political lives of their countries if freedom

and dem thrive and endure” ( Clinton, Pg.100). She also emphasized the importance of

increasing women's political involvement, including the right to vote and occupy the political

office. Clinton's speech sparked a worldwide surge in action and support for women's rights. It

contributed to the emergence of a worldwide campaign to end gender-based discrimination and

violence and support gender equity. In terms of job equity, women continue to experience a

gender wage disparity, with women receiving less than men for the same task.
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Between the 1800s and the present, there have been major changes in how women are

viewed. The majority of women's responsibilities in the 1800s fell under the domestic realm,

where they were expected to play the traditional roles of wives and mothers. Women had few job

options and were not permitted to vote, hold public office, or pursue higher education. While

there is no doubt that since the 1800s, women's roles have changed, there is still work to be done

to attain true gender equality.

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Works Cited

Clinton, Hillary Rodham. “Women’s Rights Are Human Rights.” Women’s Studies Quarterly,

vol. 24, no. 1/2, 1996, pp. 98–101. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/40004518.

Accessed 15 Mar. 2023.

Fernandez. (2014). Women’s rights and development. Journal of Economic Growth (Boston,

Mass.), 19(1), 37–80. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10887-013-9097-x

Heymann, Jody, et al. Advancing Equality : How Constitutional Rights Can Make a Difference

Worldwide. The University of California Press, 2020,

https://doi.org/10.1525/9780520973879.