Feminism and it's waves

Etymology of the word feminism:

The word feminism was first used in 1840s. It is derived from Latin word “femina” which means
woman and “ism” denotes a doctrine or ideology, therefore, it means ideology or doctrine centred
around women.

Definition:
Oxford advance learner dictionary:

The belief and aim that women should have the same rights and opportunities as men; the
struggle to achieve this aim.

Merriam-Webster dictionary:

Belief in and advocacy of the political, economic and social equality of the sexes, expressed
especially through organized activity on behalf of women’s rights and interests.

Collins dictionary:

Feminism is the belief and aim that women should have the same rights, powers, and
opportunities as men.

History of feminism:
Historically, feminism was not an organized movement, hence, there were only isolated voices.

Some famous feminist voices are:

Christine de Pisan (15th century).

Jane Anger ( she wrote “Her protection for women” in 1589).

Mary Astell ( she wrote “a serious proposal to her ladies” in 1694).

During the Enlightenment, when French assembly adopted “Declaration of rights of Man and of the
citizens”, it failed to address legal status of women. So, Olympe de Gouges, a French lady, wrote
“Declaration of rights of women and of the (female) citizen. This document declared women not
only man’s equal but also his partner.

In 18th century, Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-1797), an English lady, wrote “ A Vindication of rights
of woman, with strictures on political and moral subjects” in 1792. In this book, she argued that
women be educated as they have to raise children. Women should be given same rights because
they are also human beings. Women and men be given equal opportunities in education, work and
politics. Women, she wrote, are as naturally rational as men, if they are silly, it is only because
society trains then to be irrelevant.

Waves of feminism:
 The concept of waves entered in to our discourse in 1968, when Martha Weinman wrote “the
second feminist wave”, published in New York Times.

1st wave: 1848-1920

It started with Seneca falls convention in 1848 held in New York, where women met and passed 12
resolutions calling for rights.

It was west’s first sustained political movement dedicated to achieve political equality for women.
It is also known as suffragettes of late 19 th and early 20th century. Women faced ar rest, ridicule,
violence but they fought back for they right to vote through marches, lectures and protests.

It ended when US Congress passed 19th amendment granting women the right to vote in 1920.

2nd wave: 1963- 1980s.

It started when Betty Friedman wrote “The Feminine Mystique”. It focused on reducing
inequalities in family and workplace, social institutions that keep women deprived of their
reproductive rights and education. It’s achievements were ; US Congress passing “Equal pay act
1963” and birth control rights.

3rd wave: 1991- 2010s

It began with Anita Hill case in 1991. Anita Hill, an American citizen testified against a supreme
court judge nominee Clarence Thomas that he sexually harassed her at work. This started a lot of
women complaining about sexual harassment. The Focal points of this movement were: workplace
sexual harassment, lack of women in position of power, strict beauty standards and lack of
individuality of women.

4th wave:

We are currently living through The fourth wave. It includes #Metoo movement which is about
sexual harassment. It is also known as online wave because women are sharing their experiences
through online platforms.

Permeance of Feminism:

The first three waves were prevalent mainly in West but the 4th wave is global and includes all
cultures and countries.