The fight for gender equality is not a recent battle. For decades, this movement has sought to break the chains of patriarchy and achieve substantial equality between men and women. In this context, feminism has emerged as a driving force for respect for women’s rights. Feminism is a social and political movement that fights for gender equality and an end to gender discrimination. So, where are we today? What are these contemporary struggles led by feminists? And why are they important? Through this article, we invite you to explore these feminist struggles in France and elsewhere.
Contemporary feminist movements, the new weapons for equality.
In this fight for equality, feminist movements play a leading role. Indeed, they are the main actors in these battles, carrying the voices of women, putting pressure on institutions and mobilizing public opinion. The rise of the Internet has allowed these movements to gain visibility and influence.
Since the beginning of the 2000s, feminism has experienced a third wave, marked by a renewal of forms of action and demands. This third feminist wave is characterized by a stronger affirmation of the diversity of women and girls and by an increased use of new technologies to convey their messages. It tackles problems such as gender inequalities at work, sexist and sexual violence, and inequality of political representation.
Many feminist organizations, such as Dare Feminism or the National Collective for Women’s Rights, are leading these fights on the ground and online. These organizations campaign for gender equality, the promotion of women’s rights and the fight against all forms of discrimination.
The importance of gender equality in politics.
In France, gender equality in politics has been a long-term battle. Women only obtained the right to vote and stand for election in 1944, thanks to feminist and resistance activist Olympe de Gouges. However, inequality still persists.
Indeed, despite significant progress, women remain under-represented in political bodies, both at national and local level. To compensate for this, many feminist activists and organizations are campaigning for better representation of women in politics, considering that their absence contributes to perpetuating gender inequalities.
The United Nations and the fight for gender equality.
At the international level, the United Nations plays a crucial role in the fight for gender equality. Indeed, this international organization has always been a fervent defender of women’s rights and has greatly contributed to their promotion throughout the world.
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948, states that “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” Since then, the United Nations has adopted various resolutions and conventions to promote gender equality and combat discrimination based on sex.
At the heart of these struggles for equality, women and men Feminists continue to fight to advance their demands and assert their rights. The road to equality is certainly long, but every step counts.
Over the years, feminist movements have increased the fight for gender equality and women’s rights. From Olympe de Gouges to the third feminist wave, including political battles and those led by the United Nations, the path is certainly strewn with pitfalls, but the progress is notable.
The fight for gender equality is not over. Far from it. Inequalities persist, and women continue to struggle, from Paris to Tokyo, from Buenos Aires to Dakar. It is a daily fight, a fight of every moment, a fight for respect, for recognition, for equality.
But let’s not lose hope. Because every day, women and men Feminists continue to fight, driven by an unshakeable conviction: that gender equality is not only necessary, but possible.
