By Jess Bourne
Feminism has done so much for women. The movement resulted in women gaining the right to vote, women being able to work, and women being able to make decisions. Despite all that women have been able to achieve, there is still an awfully long way to go. Women still have a range of issues to tackle. We are still discriminated against, we still live in a patriarchal society and misogynistic acts are still ridiculously high. However, if women continue to fight for what is right and strive for equality, one day men and women will be completely equal. Let’s look at where women started and where we are today, to show that the future is ours to shape
Pre-feminism movement
Before feminism gained any sort of following, men and women had strict gender roles. Men were the ones to work and earn money, while women were the homemakers. They took on the responsibility of cooking, cleaning and looking after children.
First-wave feminism
1791-1833 – Women were vital in supporting the end of the slavery movement. They took part in sugar boycotts, forming different societies and influencing men to join them.
1838 – Slavery was abolished and despite women playing a crucial role, they were excluded from speaking in societies. After women in America took a stand against this, the women’s suffrage movement in Britain took off not long after.
1857 – The Langham Place Group was formed to create petitions and found societies for women.
1863 – Six years later, the Ladies’ London Emancipation Society (LLES) was founded, inspired by the Suffrage Movement taking place in America.
1866 – The LLES created a petition calling for voting rights for women while proposing an amendment to the 1866 Reform Bill carried forward by John Stuart Mill. Unfortunately, it failed, but the women who helped in the abolition of slavery were invited to join the movement.
1849-1868 – Elizabeth Jesser Reid founded Bedford College in 1849 which was the first educational institution to allow women access to higher education. However, it wasn’t until 1868 that women were able to sit exams and receive certificates. Ten years after this achievement, women had the opportunity to gain university degrees.
1870 – An act passed meant that women were now allowed to keep the money that they earned and inherit any property which was left to them. Previously, the husband would have taken control of both of these.
1897 – Millicent Fawcett set up The National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies (NUWSS). These women became known as the Suffragists who used peaceful acts to try to create change in the law.
1903 – Emmeline Pankhurst formed the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU), which later turned into the Suffragettes. The group started to use different strategies to gain suffrage. The women took part in hunger strikes and arson attacks.
1914-1918 – The WSPU put their activities on hold during the First World War and instead encouraged women to help the war effort by working in factories and jobs that were previously held by men.
1918 – Following the passing of the Representation of the People Act, women over 30, who owned property or were married to someone who owned property, were allowed to vote in general elections. However, the conditions meant that this only allowed 40 per cent of the female population to do so.
1928 – Ten years later, the Equal Franchise Act was introduced which graced women with the same voting rights as men – anyone over the age of 21 now had the legal ability to vote.
Second-wave feminism
1961 – The contraceptive pill became readily available to married women, giving them a choice over what they did with their bodies. This was the start of sexual liberation.
1964 – After revising the Married Woman’s Property Act, women were allowed to equally share housekeeping and property with their husbands.
1967 – Women could now legally have abortions if they met certain requirements, while all women now had access to the contraceptive pill.
1970 – Following conferences discussing equal pay, job opportunities and education, the Equal Pay Act was bought in which made it illegal for men to be paid more than women, purely based on their sex.
1975 – The Sex Discrimination Act was introduced which banned discrimination towards an individual based on their sex or marital status. This applied to employment and education. The Employment Protection Act was also passed which made maternity leave pay mandatory and women could no longer be dismissed from employment based on a pregnancy.
1979 – Margaret Thatcher was the first female Prime Minister in the UK, despite being a controversial figure.
1986 – The UK signed a treaty ending all forms of private and public life discrimination against women.
Third-wave feminism
The third wave of feminism saw women believing that feminism was for everyone and is defined by the individual. Women saw pop stars, such as the Spice Girls, preach girl power.
Meanwhile, Riot Grrrls reclaimed the words ‘bitch’ and ‘slut’ and created feminist zines with them. Third-wave feminism was deeply rooted in women having the power to choose.
Fourth-wave feminism
Currently, we are still in the fourth wave of feminism. Fortunately for the internet and online spaces, this wave has been fuelled by social media and has been able to reach many more people than previous waves.
The fourth wave includes all those who want a better world for women. It has and still is celebrating all cultures, identities and genders.
There has been a specific focus on calling out and trying to put an end to sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, equal pay and period leave – all of which are still massive issues for women.