Feminism: Past and Present

Pages:117-119
Devyani Puri (Department of English, SUS Group of Institutions, Tangori, Mohali, Punjab)

According to oxford dictionary it is the belief and aim that women should have the same rights and opportunities as men; the struggle to achieve this aim. The word ‘Feminism’ means right of women in the society. It is regarding the same rights and power as a man have and should be treated in the same way as men are treated. A movement was campaigned for this purpose and to achieve the aim of freedom to women, this movement is called feminist movement. This movement was to right vote, to work, to have equal salary as men, to own inherited property, education, as well as protection and security for women. In history it was the most successful campaign to bring social, economic and political changes in the status of women. Feminist campaigns are generally considered to be one of the main forces behind major historical societal changes for women’s rights, particularly in the West, where they are near-universally credited with having achieved women’s suffrage, gender neutrality in English, reproductive rights for women (including access to contraceptives and abortion), and the right to enter into contracts and own property. This movement not only advocates women’s rights but some feminists have focused on man’s liberation too. Feminist movement not only protects the women’s rights but aims to diminish the gender in equality in society for which various theories were issued for this purpose which are very helpful in the gender equality and overall social construction of society.