By missNOISE2oo7 (14, Minneapolis, Minnesota)
I recently read, on a global issues website, an article about women’s rights that got me thinking about the progression, or lack thereof, in gender equality.
Since the 1800’s we have been attempting to reach equality among the sexes. In Seneca Falls, New York, 1848 there was a Women’s Rights Convention where 68 women and 32 men signed what is known as the Declaration of Sentiments. This was a part of the women’s rights movement and outlined several resolutions to some of the issues:
"Resolved, That such laws as conflict, in any way, with the true and substantial happiness of woman, are contrary to the great precept of nature and of no validity, for this is superior in obligation to any other.
Resolved, that all laws which prevent woman from occupying such a station in society as her conscience shall dictate, or which place her in a position inferior to that of man, are contrary to the great precept of nature and therefore of no force or authority.
Resolved, that woman is man's equal, was intended to be so by the Creator, and the highest good of the race demands that she should be recognized as such.
Resolved, that the women of this country ought to be enlightened in regard to the laws under which they live, that they may no longer publish their degradation by declaring themselves satisfied with their present position, nor their ignorance, by asserting that they have all the rights they want.
Resolved, that inasmuch as man, while claiming for himself intellectual superiority, does accord to woman moral superiority, it is preeminently his duty to encourage her to speak and teach, as she has an opportunity, in all religious assemblies.
Resolved, that the same amount of virtue, delicacy, and refinement of behavior that is required of woman in the social state also be required of man, and the same transgressions should be visited with equal severity on both man and woman.
Resolved, that the objection of indelicacy and impropriety, which is so often brought against woman when she addresses a public audience, comes with a very ill grace from those who encourage, by their attendance, her appearance on the stage, in the concert, or in feats of the circus.
Resolved, that woman has too long rested satisfied in the circumscribed limits which corrupt customs and a perverted application of the Scriptures have marked out for her, and that it is time she should move in the enlarged sphere which her great Creator has assigned her.
Resolved, that it is the duty of the women of this country to secure to themselves their sacred right to the elective franchise.
Resolved, that the equality of human rights results necessarily from the fact of the identity of the race in capabilities and responsibilities.
Resolved, that the speedy success of our cause depends upon the zealous and untiring efforts of both men and women for the overthrow of the monopoly of the pulpit, and for the securing to woman an equal participation with men in the various trades, professions, and commerce."
As time progressed we advanced in the idea of equality. The National Woman Suffrage Association and The American Woman Suffrage Association were created and eventfully combined. They also had a target to gain the right to vote among women.
Next came the National Association of Colored Women. Then the National Women's Trade Union League tried to get better working conditions and wages for women.
And finally in 1920, the 19th constitutional amendment was passed and signed, making the right for women to vote.
Then a great leap was established. Title IX of the Education Amendments banned sex discrimination in schools. It states, "No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving federal financial assistance." Title IX improved the academic and athletic statues for women. The enrollment of women in athletics programs and professional schools increased dramatically.
The Violence Against Women Act made tougher federal penalties for sex offenders and allowed better funding for victims of rape and domestic violence in 1994.
Have we lived up to these undertakings? Amnesty International points out, “Governments are not living up to their promises under the Women’s Convention to protect women from discrimination and violence such as rape and female genital mutilation.” Is that true? Have we, as a society today, lived up the standards that we have set?
Still today rape and domestic violence are extremely common among the female population:
• Nearly one-third of American women (31%) report being physically or sexually abused by a husband or boyfriend at some point in their lives, according to a 1998 Commonwealth Fund survey.
• Around the world, at least one in every three women has been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused during her lifetime.
• While women are less likely than men to be victims of violent crimes overall, women are five to eight times more likely than men to be victimized by an intimate partner.
As far as wages goes, Richard H. Robbins of Global Problems and the Culture of Capitalism says, “Women do two-thirds of the world’s work, receive 10% of the world’s income and own 1% of the means of production.”
In conclusion, we have made great advances in women’s rights, but is it enough? Have we made a big enough impact to say that we are even close to equality among the sexes?
Sources:
http://www.infoplease.com/spot/womenstimeline1.html#
http://www.globalissues.org/HumanRights/WomensRights.asp#Progress
http://www.endabuse.org/resources/facts/
• Top Ten Things to do for Women's Equality
• International Girl Power
• Facts: Susan B. Anthony
