Feminism in the Uk

‘Fighting for women’s rights has too often become synonymous with man-hating. For the record, feminism by definition is: ‘’The belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities. It is the theory of the political, economic and social equality of the sexes.’’ If you stand for equality, you’re a feminist. I’m sorry to tell you, you’re a feminist.’ Those words were spoken by Harry Potter actress Emma Watson, one of Britain’s most famous and influential people, in a speech she held before the United Nations in September 2014. This speech and the following HeForShe campaign was a wakeup call for Britain. Slowly, but surely Great Britain, the country of the hidden feminists, started to think about feminism, equal rights, stereotypes and speaking up for what you believe in. Today I want to tell you more about feminism in general and especially feminism in the United Kingdom.

1. The history of British feminism
2. Feminism nowadays

The history of feminism in Britain

Feminism is a collection of movements and ideologies aimed at defining, establishing and defending equal rights for women. The history of feminism in Britain dates to the beginnings of feminism itself, because many of the earliest feminist writers and activists, as Mary Wollstonecraft, Barbara Bodichon and Lydia Becker, were British.

The first woman to publish a defense of her gender in English was Jane Anger in the 16th century. The title of her defense, Jane Anger Her Protection For Women was published in 1589. In this time it was rare for women to write and publish on secular themes. And it was also rare for women to argue against male supremacy.

An important name is Mary Astell, who lived in the late 17th century. She was a feminist writer, rhetorician and head of a girl’s school. Her advocacy of equal educational opportunities for women has earned her the title ‘’the first English feminist’’. In one of Mary’s publications called Reflections upon Marriage, she writes: ‘’If all men are born free, how is it that all women are born slaves?’’

Another feminists writer was Mary Wollstonecraft. I mentioned her before. She was not only a writer, but also an advocate of women’s rights. Wollstonecraft is best known for her book ‘’A Vindication of the Rights of Woman’’, in which she argues that women are not naturally inferior to men, but appear to be only because they lack education. She suggests that both men and women should be treated as rational beings and she hoped for a society based on reason rather than on gender, something modern feminists also hope for.

 The history of modern feminism can be divided in three ‘’waves’’.

The first wave refers to the movement of the 19th through early 20th centuries, which mainly dealt with suffrage (what basically is the right to vote), working conditions and educational rights for women and girls. The movement to gain votes for women had two wings: the suffragists and the suffragettes. The difference between both groups was basically that the suffragists were peaceful and the suffragettes weren’t. Emmeline Pankhurst, the leader of the suffragettes, believed that to draw attention to the cause you had to show deeds, not words. The methods of Pankhurst’s group were law-breaking, violence and hunger strikes for example. The rough treatment of many suffragettes arrested and jailed during the course of their protest caused increasing sympathy and support from the public.

Another important event during the first wave of feminism was in 1919 when Nancy Astor became the first woman to take her seat in the House of Commons.

 The first wave ended when the right to vote was granted to all women in the UK in 1928.

The second wave (1960s-1980s) dealt with the inequality of laws, cultural inequalities and the role of women in society.

The third of feminism (late 1980s-early 2000s) is a continuation of the second wave and also a response to the perceived failures.

Feminism nowadays

More than two thirds of Britons support gender equality- but just seven per cent would call themselves feminists research has shown. Because of this Britain is also found to be a nation of hidden feminists. More women than men call themselves feminist, but more men than women support equality between the sexes. Younger people were more likely to call themselves feminists. Sam Smethers, the head of this research, said: ‘’The overwhelming majority of the public share our feminist values but don’t identify with the label. However the simple truth is if you want a more equal society for women and men then you are in fact a feminist.’’ He continued: ‘’Feminism is enjoying a welcome resurgence now, particularly amongst young women. But if we want to secure lasting change in our society we need to bring that mainstream majority with us. As feminists, the challenge comes back to us to include those women and men who want to achieve equality but who do not readily identify with the term.’’