A long journey for women's equality and progress

Human history has witnessed many struggles for justice and rights, in which the movement for women's rights is a key pillar.

The #MeToo movement of women against sexual harassment broke out in 2017 and has spread strongly around the world thanks to the widespread development of social networks. (Source: Getty Images)

From the late 19th century to the present, over 100 years with four main waves, feminist movements around the world have brought about profound changes in politics, economics, culture and society, laying the foundation for equality between men and women - one of the most important topics in the development of human society.

The origin of "footprints"

The first wave of feminism originated in developed industrial countries in the 19th century, focusing on the right to vote, own property and equal access to education and labor, in a context at that time, women were considered second-class citizens, with no right to participate in politics or make important decisions in society.

The suffragette movement originated in England in the late 19th century and spread to the United States with prominent activists such as Emmeline Pankhurst (1858-1928). She was the founder of the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU-1903), an organization fighting for women's suffrage in England. The WSPU's motto was "Deeds, not words," reflecting the fierce methods of struggle, including demonstrations, hunger strikes, and vandalism. The WSPU had a great influence on the feminist movement not only in England but also globally. Women in France, Germany, and Canada also actively participated in this movement to demand political and economic equality.

An important event was the Seneca Falls Convention (1848, USA), organized by Elizabeth Cady Stanton (1815-1902) and Lucretia Mott (1793-1880), which declared “all men and women are created equal” and called for women’s suffrage. The convention inspired many feminist movements around the world.

New Zealand was the first country to grant women the right to vote in 1893. In the United States, activists such as Susan B. Anthony (1820-1906) and Elizabeth Cady Stanton (1815-1902) fought for the 19th Amendment to be passed in 1920, officially recognizing women's right to vote. In Russia, the October Revolution (1917) marked a turning point in the socialist feminist movement. The Soviet government quickly enacted progressive policies, legalizing women's suffrage, expanding education and employment, and nationalizing child care to ease the burden on families. Notably, in 1920, the Soviet Union became one of the first countries to legalize abortion.

International Women's Day (March 8) originated from the female textile workers' movement in the United States in the late 19th century and was internationally recognized in 1910 at the International Socialist Women's Conference, proposed by German feminist and communist activist Clara Zetkin (1857-1933). Since then, March 8 has become a symbol of gender equality and honoring the contributions of women around the world.

According to the Global Gender Gap Index Report 2023, Vietnam ranked 72/146 countries in terms of gender equality, up 11 places compared to 2022. The Government has implemented a Gender Equality Communication Program until 2030 to raise awareness and promote gender equality in society.

Global spread

The second wave of feminism exploded in the 1960s and 1970s, stemming from the women's liberation movement and influenced by radical feminism. Women fought for equality in marriage, labor, education, and against gender discrimination.

Before that, during World War II, when men went to war, women took on many important jobs in factories, offices, science and technology, changing traditional concepts of gender roles. After the war, they continued to fight for labor rights, access to higher education, opportunities for advancement and control over their bodies, especially regarding abortion and reproductive health.

In the United States, the work “The Feminine Mystique” (1963) by Betty Friedan (1921-2006) caused a stir when it criticized traditional notions of women’s roles, calling on them to seek personal and professional identity instead of being limited to marriage and family. In 1966, Ms. Friedan and 27 other women founded the National Organization for Women (NOW), campaigning for equal rights, fighting sexual harassment and increasing women’s representation in politics and economics.

An important achievement of the feminist movement during this period was the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (USA), in which Title VII prohibited sex discrimination in employment.

In Europe, the feminist movement promoted reforms in marriage, occupational, and social welfare laws, especially in Germany and Sweden, allowing women to participate in the workforce without being constrained by family responsibilities. French author Simone de Beauvoir (1908-1986) and her work “The Second Sex” (1949) created an important theoretical foundation for modern feminism.

Socialist countries such as the Soviet Union, China, Eastern Europe, Vietnam, Cuba... continued to promote women's rights in a socialist orientation. In China, under Chairman Mao Zedong, the slogan "Women hold half the sky" demonstrated a strong commitment to gender equality. In Vietnam, the feminist movement was closely linked to the resistance wars against France and the United States, in which the Vietnam Women's Union (founded in 1930) played an important role in mobilizing women to participate in the revolution and build the country.

Meanwhile, feminist movements in Japan and South Korea focused on labor and reproductive rights, while in Latin America activists pushed against domestic violence and the right to divorce.

The feminist movement has also spread to developing countries. In India, since the 1980s, movements against dowry and domestic violence have grown rapidly, with organizations such as the Gulabi Gang and the All India Women's Conference (AIWC). Campaigns such as “Stop Dowry Deaths” and “Bell Bajao” have pushed for legal reforms to protect women's rights.

In Africa, organizations such as Equality Now and The Girl Generation are fighting hard against female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage. According to a 2022 UNICEF report, female genital mutilation rates among girls under 14 in some African and Middle Eastern countries have dropped from 47% to 34% thanks to awareness campaigns and legal reforms.

In 1979, the United Nations adopted the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), providing a legal basis for gender equality policies globally. Considered the “International Constitution for Women’s Rights,” CEDAW has been ratified by more than 189 countries, although some countries have yet to fully implement their commitments.

The Government has issued Decree No. 56/2012/ND-CP, stipulating the responsibilities of ministries, branches and People's Committees in ensuring the participation of the Vietnam Women's Union in state management. Currently, Vietnamese women are empowered to lead and participate in decision-making in all fields.

"New generation" struggle

Third wave feminism emerged in the 1990s, amid globalization and technological advancement. This movement emphasized diversity, the rights of minority women, immigrants, and the LGBTQ+ community.

In 1992, writer and activist Rebecca Walker coined the term “third wave feminism” in her essay “Becoming the third wave” in Ms. magazine. She argued that feminism needed to go beyond traditional issues such as voting rights and labor rights to include reproductive rights, gender-based violence, and racial justice.

A major achievement was the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), passed by the United States in 1994, which provides legal protection for victims of gender-based violence. “Third wave feminism is not only a response to gender inequality, but also an affirmation of women’s autonomy and diversity globally,” says the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women).

In the 21st century, the fourth wave of feminism emerged with the support of social media, helping to spread the movement against sexual harassment and violence. Campaigns such as #MeToo (2017) against sexual harassment and Time's Up (2018) against abuse of power in the entertainment industry have created pressure for change in social and political institutions.

New generation feminists have laid the foundation for using the digital space as a vital tool to spread messages and calls for action for gender equality, creating movements across borders.

According to UN Women, digital technology helps connect individuals globally, expand the impact of the feminist movement and promote gender equality.

After more than a century of struggle, the feminist movement has achieved many important achievements such as voting rights, labor equality, access to education and raising awareness of gender-based violence. However, inequality still exists, especially in the fields of technology, digital transformation and income.

According to the UN Women 2023 report, women make up only 22% of the artificial intelligence industry, with a gender pay gap of up to 21%. Economist Claudia Goldin, winner of the 2023 Nobel Prize in Economics, also affirmed that inequality still exists in career opportunities and leadership positions.

Technological developments present new challenges that require the feminist movement to constantly adapt and continue to fight. Achieving true equality requires continued progressive policies, the collective efforts of society as a whole, and a strong commitment to a fair and sustainable future for all.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/hanh-trinh-dai-vi-binh-dang-va-tien-bo-cua-phu-nu-306703.html