An Overview of Women's Rights

Although women’s rights have historically been subject to great debate, women’s rights have also historically indicated the degree of progress and modernization in global society. Traditionally, women have been subordinate to men and even the Creation story from the New Testament states that the first man, Adam, was created before the first woman, Eve, and that Eve in fact was created from one of Adam’s ribs. This ancient gender inequality also manifests itself today as women in some areas still do not have access to the same financial opportunities, political opportunities, and educational opportunities as men. Although many developed countries are making great strides toward gender equality, such movements are frequently met with harsh opposition as tradition is quite difficult to change.

However, progress in women’s rights has been initiated in areas all over the world and despite great difficulty, change is slowly being made. As early as 500 BC, societies such as the Spartans of Greece offered an early semblance of gender equality when women were allowed to perform “greater” functions in society, rather than caring for children and maintaining a household. Through the Renaissance, the Scientific Revolution, and the Enlightenment – examples throughout history of changes in the status quo – women gained slightly more respect and perception of a women’s role in society had begun to change. Unfortunately today, even in highly developed countries, women are still struggling to be free from the bondage of traditional concepts of their role in society: that of being subordinate to men.

In the 1900’s, women living in more developed societies served a very stereotypical role: They were expected marry, have children, and care for the home while their husband provided the sole income for the family. If they were unmarried, they earned small wages as cooks, waitresses, domestic servants, nurses etc. The role of women in British society for example was even reinforced by female ruler Queen Victoria, “Let women be what God intended, a helpmate for man, but with totally different duties and vocations.” While many women were content with this role, some historical figures, which will be discussed later, organized to push for greater rights. At this time, laws were beginning to be passed giving women greater rights to property, education, divorce, and other rights which we consider today to be extremely basic.

Although great progress was made throughout the 19^th century in terms of women’s rights, certain issues still need to be resolved, and many have recently been created by changing circumstances and times. In September 1995, at the United Nation’s Fourth World Conference on Women, in Beijing, China, delegates identified twelve sectors in need of improvement regarding women’s rights. These included “poverty; access to educations and training; access to health care; violence against women; women and war; economic inequality with men’ political inequality with men; creating of institutions for women’s advancement; lack of respect for women’s right’ stereotyping of women; gender inequalities and the environment; and violation of girl child’s rights.”¹ In order for the world to be better, women’s rights must be improved in all of these areas.

Through this project, I would like to investigate the feminization of poverty (women living in disproportionate poverty), the progress of women in global politics (voting and holding office), and how abuse against women is being addressed and presented on a global stage. I am curious to know how large of an issue women’s rights are on a global scale and how these issues are being addressed by a diverse world community. Also, if “you can’t live with ‘em” I want to know why we “can’t live without ‘em.”

1. United Nations, “Critical Ares of Concern,” Report of the Fourth World Conference on Women (New York: United National Department for Policy Coordination and Sustainable development, 1995), ch. 1, annex II, ch. 3, pp. 41-44.