In all societies, women have different roles to play in economic prosperity. However, women have fewer rights than men in terms of marriage, legal status, education, professional life, divorce, as well as, dress code.
Therefore, the society feels that the restrictions accorded to womens rights are mandated. The oppression of women causes them to be pressurized into lower class citizens. This study evaluates whether the oppression of womens right could affect the economy growth in a country by using quality of life as the measurement (Gilbert 23).
Research question
Why is quality of life index a critical factor in determining whether womens oppression could affect the economy growth of a country?
Literature Review
According to the National Ranking, quality of life index use several elements, such as, the health level of the average individual, environment, and peacefulness of a country (World Bank 2). These elements could tell the condition of a country whether the majority are happy or unhappy. If the majority of the populations are happy, the quality of life would be high and vice versa.
Quality of life index is scaled from 0.000 for the unhappiest country and 1.000 for the happiest country. In order to have a high level of quality of life, a country must maintain its medical policies so that a majority of people will have easy access to healthcare; maintain the quality and preservation of the environment, and security from crime, oppression, and war (Graham and Stefano 34).
Looking at the gender gap inequality index, Saudi Arabia, Mali, Pakistan, Chad, and Yemen are countries that have high gender inequality in the world. These countries are ranked 131st to 135th. Meanwhile, Iceland, Norway, Finland, Sweden, and Ireland are the top five countries that have the lowest gender inequality in the world.
Most countries in rank 131st to 135th do have oppression of womens right due to a higher gender-gap (gender inequality). They face many problems because their rights are infringed as well as their full legal status that has been excluded from their rights. There are unjust laws that women face due to unbiased mentalities that have made them not to be recognized as equal citizens.
There is a close relationship between a nations wealth (GDP per capita) and individuals levels of happiness (quality of life), which is why quality of life plays a pivotal role to know the wealth of a country. The level of happiness increases as the GDP increases.
Methodology
The study considered 30 random countries to know the relationship between quality of life and GDP per capita in the real world. Quality of life does have a strong positive relationship with the nations wealth as they score 0.7543 in the correlation coefficient analysis. Therefore, a country will have high GDP per capita when the society is happy. Countries with high gender gap are expected to have low GDP since the majority of people are not happy (Oswald 24).
Findings
The correlation coefficient of countries such as Yemen, Pakistan, Chad, Mali, and Saudi Arabia are expected to have low GDP per capita as they have low quality of life due to the oppression of womens right. Different with countries where majority of the individuals are very happy, they will have large GDP per capita.
This can be Iceland, which ranked 1st in the world for having the lowest gender inequality rate, have an index of 0.935 in the quality of life and 0.926 for the health index. For instance in Iceland, the high level of quality of life and health is one of the factors that lead to a GDP per capita of $54,291
On the contrary, there are situations where women have conquered the rights that are exclusively of the male domain. For instance Yemen has a quality of life index of 0.362 which means that the majority of the people there are not happy due to the oppression of women (Tzannatos 3).
Yemen also has a low health index of 0.360, meaning that many people do not have access to health care. Yemens GDP per capita is low ($855). On the other hand, Chad, which has a quality of life with an index of 0.189 and health index of 0.173, has a GDP per capita of $521. Yemen, which has a quality of life with an index of 0.362, does have higher GDP per capita ($855) than Chad ($521), which has an index of 0.189 for the quality of life.
Another data supporting our correlation analysis is Finland with an index of 0.896 for the quality of life and health index of 0.896, it has a GDP per capita of $41,440. Finlands quality of life index is lower than Iceland (0.935) thus it also has lower GDP per capita than Iceland ($54,291).
However, our correlation coefficient analysis may not be applicable to Saudi Arabia that has a high GDP per capita ($14,585.85) but low quality of life rate (0.578). Even though it does hold the principles of our analysis, where Saudi Arabia have the highest quality of life between Yemen and Chad, our findings of the average countries GDP per capita with an index ranges from 0.500 to 0.600 is $2,754.90.
This could happen due to the high production of oil in Saudi Arabia ( worlds largest oil producer ) that causes its GDP per capita is very high compare to other countries with similar quality of life index. More than 40 percent of Saudi Arabias GDP is come from the oil export revenues which cause Saudi Arabia to have a very high GDP per capita. However, women are still unhappy despite having high GDP per capita compare to other Middle East countries (McGillivray and Matthew 38).
Conclusion
Countries with high gender inequality, where most women are oppressed, do have lower wealth than countries with low gender inequality. Countries that have high quality of life, associated with health index, global peace index, and environment performance index, are strong economically.
To have high quality of life means a country must have high health, global peace, and environment performance index. A high health index increases the economic growth of a country because it brings happiness to the people in the country, making the country be more productive as most people are healthy (Sumner 29).
A country with high global peace index means that it has good relationships with other countries, which could lead to make trade easier between countries. Thus it will increase the growth of nations wealth (GDP per capita). Maintaining the quality and preservation of the environment of a country also play a crucial part in affecting the nations wealth.
A considerable impact of the oppression of women on economic growth is robust to changes in specifications and controls for potential endogeneities and is a pervasive future in most countries since the opportunities and outcomes are present in dimensions that include education, earnings, employment as well as access to productive inputs (Rosen 24). The rising vulnerability of women over the course of economic development is shaped by institutional arrangements such as the family structures and other discriminatory practices.
Works Cited
Gilbert, Daniel. Stumbling on Happiness, New York: Alfred A Knopf. 2006. Print.
Graham, Carol and Stefano Pettinato, Happiness and Hardship: Opportunity and Insecurity in New Market Economies. Washington, D.C.: Brookings Institution Press. 2002. Print.
McGillivray, Mark and Matthew Clarke. Understanding Human Well Being, Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan. 2006. Print.
Oswald, Andrew J. Happiness and Economic Performance. Economic Journal. 107(5), 1997. 18153. Print.
Rosen, Sherwin. Authority, control, and the distribution of earnings. Bell Journal of Economics, 13 (2). 1982. pp. 311-23.
Tzannatos, Zafiris. Women and labor market changes in the global economy: Growth helps, inequalities hurt and public policy matters. World Development Vol. 27, No. 3, 1999. pp. 551-569.
World Bank. Engendering Development. Washington, DC: World Bank. 2001.
Mainly all human rights laws forbid discrimination based on gender. Despite this, countless number of women and young girls remain subjected to oppression and violence, suffering from being deprived of their rights, respect, independence, and sometimes even life. Worldwide, women are still paid less for doing the same jobs as men, and some nations still tolerate child marriage and do not have regulations prohibiting spousal abuse. Deeply ingrained in societys core, this prejudice against and abuse of women is ongoing and widespread. Recently, there has been a resurgence of skepticism about and rejection of global practices regarding gender equality and the fundamental rights of women. Yet, in the face of democracy, every woman deserves to be heard and respected without the need to demand her fundamental rights.
Supporting people, giving them access to their fundamental rights, and promoting their liberties is one of democracys primary goals. True Democrats believe everyone is equal, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, or other features (Democratic Party Platform, n.d.). Individuals need to be able to openly express their beliefs and decide what is best for them, as long as their decision does not negatively impact other people (Brechenmacher & Hubbard, 2020). Democratic perceptions of womens rights are, therefore, consistent with Democratic perceptions of mens rights, and there is no favoring of one gender over another.
Still, in the 21st century, with many breakthroughs and changes, there is gender discrimination in America that the Democratic party resists. The Democratic Party supports the notion that no person, group, or organization has the authority to deny women their rights since they are endowed with them at birth, similarly to men. Women are free and equal individuals who possess the skills, knowledge, and traits necessary for successful careers in business, politics, science, or other fields. Democrats, in other words, hold that women and men have equal rights but that the latter sometimes cannot exercise them due to various cultural conventions and laws, such as the prohibition on abortion or the need for women to serve as housemaids.
In this sense, the Democratic Party is confident that women should be allowed to access all of the same opportunities as men, prioritize their careers over having children if this is their desire, vote, and run for office. Democrats put effort into making such changes happen and developed several initiatives, including the Votes Without Violence framework, the Women Mayors Network, and #NOTTHECOST, which aim to end aggression toward female politicians (NDI, n.d.). Democrats also make sure that events concerning the violation of womens rights or discrimination against them are not ignored but are adequately addressed.
Lastly, the Democratic Party encourages female political engagement and activity. This is mostly accomplished by enacting new laws and regulations that emphasize how commonplace this activity is, just with the participation of men in politics. Another successful strategy is to educate children, adults, and younger girls about their rights and possibilities to pick careers they are passionate about (Thompson, 2020). Successful male and female politicians should teach young people the need for equality and the importance of never putting societys expectations ahead of ones goals. Therefore, it is proper to claim that women would not be able to exercise their rights and freedoms as frequently without the efforts of Democrats.
Hence, every woman deserves to be heard, and her rights must be recognized in a democracy without fighting for them. One of the critical objectives of democracy is to support people, grant them access to their fundamental rights, and advance their freedoms. The Democratic Party is adamant that women should be given access to all of the same opportunities as males in this regard. Therefore, 21st century is a time of worldwide change that requires the protection of oppressed and violated groups and awareness.
Women have always been striving to protect their civil and equality rights and achieve the results similar to men. Significant rise of equality rights movements was observed in second half of the eighteenth century with further breakouts in second hard of the nineteenth century.
Women, particular those occupying the procession of a writer or a poet, were struggling for the freedom of speech and independence from the male dominance, just as it was presented in their novels, essays, and poems. Specifically, both Mary Wollstonecraft, who lived in the times of French Revolution, and Virginia Woolf, a political activist and writer, strongly advocate the civil rights of women.
In their works called A Vindication of the Right of Woman and Professions of Women respectively, they express their vigorous desire to liberate women from the professional taboos to enter female authorship imposed by the male society and provide a new ideology and norms for women to pursue.
The messages delivered by both women are narrowed to the idea that fair sex should have the right to their personal opinion concerning the issues happened around them.
In particular, Virginia Woolf insists that writing and women is a dangerous mixture, specifically in the period of male domination; at the same time, it is quite reputable because it helps women understand their inner insights and needs. However, if women really want to indulge into this occupation, they should fight with the strongly imposed stereotypes, the so-called demons, which is the only way to write honestly.
Similar to Woolf, Wollstonecraft is operated by similar judgments because her main argument is premised on the necessity for delivering equal access to education for males and females, which can expand the boundaries of female authorship: &the more understanding women acquire, the more they will be attached to their duty comprehending it for&their morals be fixed on the same immutable principles of that of man, no authority can make them discharge it in a virtuous manner (Wollstonecraft 17).
In whole, both women strive to liberate themselves from the principles and morals of the male-dominated world.
Both Wollstonecraft and Woolf also seek to provide new educational frameworks for women because they believe it can enhance the society in general. They also admit that women chose to be subjected to male because it is much more comfortable to live and get along with their husbands. However, occupying no profession and taking no education deprive women of individuality and possibility to build plans and career perspectives for self-expression and professional growth.
With regard to this, Woolf emphasizes, &before a woman can sit down to write a book without finding a phantom to be slain, a rock to be dashed again (35). Interpreting this, women should overcome much more challenges in comparison with men whose dominance is predetermined historically.
In conclusion, both authors have greatly contributed to the development and enhancement of female authorships through representations of the womens place in the male-prevailing society. In the texts at issue, they provide their conceptual frameworks expanding on their vision of education and civil rights for women as well as reasons for existing problems in these terms.
In addition, Woolf and Wollstonecraft are also concerned with presenting the connection between the writing and women within different periods, which allow to pursue the changes occurred to this problem.
Works Cited
Wollstonecraft, Mary. A Vindication of the Rights of Woman. 1792. Reprinted with introduction, chronology, and bibliography by Charles W. Hagelman, Jr. NewYork: W.W. Norton and Company, 1967. Print.
Woolf, Virginia. Professions for Women. in Women and Writing. US: Womens Press, 1979. Print.
The source is titled Alice Paul depicts the woman who championed womens rights in a movement called the national womens suffrage. Debra Michals is the author of the source Alice Paul. Although this work is deemed to be Debras work, she has cited several publications to come up with the completed document. The article was edited by Doris Michaels in 2015, citing several publications and articles, some of which date back to 1994.
The source Alice Paul depicts the numerous contributions that she and her fellow suffragists made to the new rights of women. Through such a publication, we get to appreciate the challenges and sacrifices that these great women of history had to endure for us to be able to vote (Gledhill & Heath, 2021). As edited by Debra Michals, the source is a short bibliography on Alice Paul, which denotes a short history of her early life, where she was born and raised, her education, and her contributions to the rights of women.
This is a secondary source because the information is explained by a person who was not present during the activities. Debra is using data from the museums to write down what she did not witness firsthand. Moreover, these are incidences in the 18th century, and no one from that century is alive now to tell the happenings. The writer is neutral since she is only interested in explaining the life history of Alice Paul. She gives a brief history of her life and the contributions she made as a womens rights activist. For example, Alice Paul was born on January 11, 1885, in mount laurel; she went to college in Swarthmore and later went to England, where she studied social work (Debra Michal, 2015). She later founded the womens suffrage movement, which championed the rights of women.
Women learn that they need to be bold enough and speak up for their rights no matter the circumstances they face. For instance, Alice organized parades and pickets, which demanded that women be granted the right to vote. In 1917, Paul and other suffrages began picketing the white house as they stood at the gates with banners asking the president how long they would wait for liberty. This is a credible source as it clearly illustrates the injustices women faced in their quest for equal rights. During the pickets that Alice organized for the white house, silent sentinels experienced physical and verbal attacks from spectators.
The second secondary source is titled the beginning of the feminist movement. The writer of this source is Kira Cochrane. The source was written on May 7, 2013. Kira Cochrane vividly makes us see the effect of womens discrimination by mentioning a few women who took their lives due to this. She mentions Marilyn Monroe, who had lost her life due to an overdose, and Sylvia Path, who had committed as a consequence of the kind of treatment that women were being subjected to.
The source focuses on feminism, where the woman wants more to her identity and not the overstated feminineness, which was thought to be ideal for all women. Kira wants us to recognize the plight these women faced where they lived as though they had no identity. She shares these predicaments, some of which led to some taking their own lives. This source qualifies to be a secondary source since the writer talks about happenings that took place in her absence. She gives case scenarios based on other peoples writings who were present during that time.
The writer seems to be leaning toward the point that women needed an identity for themselves. She talks about feminism stating that it has been fifty years of the journey of feminine liberation. Kira seems to be in support of the woman having some sense of status in her life when she says a lot has changed, but another fifty years start now, suggesting that she wants more than there already is. Women learn that in times of inequality, they ought to raise their voices to be heard. For instance, the women at the ford plant went on strike demanding equal pay.
The source is ideal for the research as it notes the struggles that these iconic women of history had to endure for them to have equal rights as men. It depicts the horrors and misfortunes that happened to women as a result of discrimination against them.
The title of my first primary source is why women should vote. The primary source is an extract from a sourcebook on internet modern history. The author of the text extract is a woman known as Jane Williams. The primary source extract was created in the year 1915
The source is out to explain the importance of the woman to be accorded the right to vote because she is the household manager, and the well-being of her family depends on good leadership. The author says a woman must keep her house clean. This cannot be possible if she lives in a tenement house because she will depend on the city administration for proper living conditions. This is considered a primary source since it was written when the actual events were taking place. The writer of the source is recording experiences that are occurring during her present time.
The writer is inclined toward championing the rights of women to vote. She says if a woman is to fulfill her traditional responsibility to her children, then she must make use of the ballot. Women learn that the betterment of society begins at home, and therefore they should advocate for the implementation of policies that advocate for this. The writer denotes the importance of allowing women to vote, stating that since they are housekeepers, voting would help them improve the living conditions of their homes.
The people living in the current day and age are liberalized; they are not limited to the traditional housekeeping responsibility for women. Moreover, the women of today vote and can make influential decisions in society. The source is credible because it depicts the injustices the women faced by not being allowed to vote. The author says that the woman cannot be able to perform her duties well because she is limited because she cannot decide to vote.
The title of the source is equal rights for women. The source is a congress speech written by Shirley Chisholm. The author of the source is a woman by the name of Shirley Chisholm. The source was created on May 21, 1969, to speak on behalf of women and their equal right to all that was right for men. The main idea of the source was to fight for equality of womens rights in all aspects of life. A woman ought to have the right to be professional just like a man.
The writer is inclined towards the support of womans right to equal share as the man, to be treated similarly as the man in all aspects of life, and not view them as emotional or weak. To be given equal opportunity to be lawyers, doctors, and managers, not just secretaries and librarians.
The speech by Shirley Williams is key in emphasizing the need for women to have equal rights as men. Shirley states that women need to be allowed to run for seats in congress because when they try it means that they have the confidence that they have what it takes. Also. She is advocating for womens equality in places of work.
Women learn that they need to speak up for their rights when they feel discriminated against. This is seen as Shirley Chisholm speaks of the need to pass the equal rights amendment. She says that both men and women need equal rights and that no gender should be deemed superior to the other. Chisholm also adds that protection of one gender more than the other is a male chauvinist myth that is very outrageous and undeserving of respect.
This is a credible source because it depicts the general assumption about womens abilities. She mentions that a woman is assumed emotional and therefore cannot hold professional positions of office such as being a lawyer.
When looking back at the events which took place in the XIX century, one can easily understand that the present-day rights and freedoms, as well as the modern highly developed structure of the society are the phenomena which can be easily taken for granted and which should not be by any means. Indeed, it is almost impossible to believe that a couple of centuries ago the ideas of temperance were considered another potentially dangerous whim.
Unless the reformers of the XIX century established their idea of what principles the society should base on, the ideas of temperance and, consequently, womens rights, antislavery and a number of other essential innovations, would have been established considerably later. Analyzing the objectives which the reformers pursued in their attempt to change the then social structure, one can possibly estimate the scale of the reforms and their impact on the society.
Among the most memorable reforms of that time, the innovations in the system of treating the convicts and the prisoners must be the reform that reflected the very essence of the XIX-century social ideas.
As Frank (2008) explains, the reform was opposed to the system existing in the XIX century and was aimed at changing the prisoners for the better rather than establishing an eye-for-an-eye atonement for their crimes. Rather than punishing the prisoner through whippings, incarceration, or execution, prison reformers sought to improve the soul of the convict (Frank, 2008, 4).
As for the education reforms, the aims of those who launched the process were a bit different. With the help of the latter, the reformers had fighting with poverty in mind.
Once the quality of education is improved, the competence and, hence, the wages and the well-being of millions of people is improved within a relatively short time period: Educational reform aimed both to prepare children for life in an industrializing economy and to reinforce Protestant American culture; reformers also established new institutions to deal with the poor, criminals and the insane (Boyer et al., 2009, 235).
However, the largest and the most impressive movement of all in the XIX century was the movement of tolerance. As Frank (2008) explains, Reformers believed drinking led to a host of social evils, including poverty, crime, family violence and poor child rearing (Frank, 2008, 4).
Therefore, the focus of the reformers was the way to drive the alcohol abuse to minimum. It is quite peculiar that the drinking problem was also considered the cause of poor working performance and, thus, the number one obstacle to achieving the increase in the industry development. With the above-mentioned in mind, it becomes obvious that the temperance reform was the key one in the early 180-1810.
Another significant reform, the successful campaign for womens rights was also triggered by a number of factors. Despite the growing scale of the female labor force recruitment, the moral restrictions imposed on women were immense. Among the most prominent people who impacted the womens rights reform, Angelina and Sarah Grimke must be mentioned.
With the help of Grimke sisters efforts, namely, the fact that they assumed the public role of men (Frank, 2008, 7), women employees committees finally appeared and women gained their support in the sphere of employment. Caused by the unfair and extremely harsh working conditions (Allan & DeLuzio, 2009), the movement finally gained nationwide scale.
Finally, the issue of slavery must be referred to as one of the greatest and the most significant achievements in the XIX century. As Armstrong (2006) says, Many Christians, especially in the North, began to speak out forcefully about the treatment of American slaves (119).
Despite the fact that some supporters of the reform had their own idea of what the whole change was about and considered that the African Americans were supposed to return to their native land, i.e., the African continent, after the reform completed its final stage, it was still obvious that the largest amount of people were guided by their most humane intentions when approving of the reform.
Therefore, it cannot be doubted that the reform which made the African Americans free and abolished slavery once and for all, considering it the pinnacle of the inhumane, was first of all caused by the reasons of humanity and tolerance.
Thus, together with the new idea of what the society is supposed to be like, new objectives emerged and demanded immediate actions to be taken. Obviously aiming at giving people new freedoms and opening a pool of opportunities in front of them, the reformers succeeded in their attempt to change the world for the better.
Even though the changes occurred at much slower pace than they could have, the scale of the events could not be overestimated with the tremendous effects not only on the social life, but also on the economics and the financial state of the country, the innovations offered by the reformers completely proved their worth. Once making a successful attempt at reorganizing the society and reestablishing moral values as well as offering a more solid fundament for the society to base on, the reformers started a brand new era of the U. S. history.
Reference List
Allan, C. & DeLuzio, C. (2009). Womens rights: People and perspectives. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO.
Armstrong, S. (2006). 5 steps to a 5 AP U. S. history. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Professional.
Boyer et al. (2009). The enduring vision: A history of the American people. Stanford, CN: Cengage Learning.
Frank, L. (2008). Women in the American Civil War (Vol. 1). Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO.
Womens rights are probably one of the most frequently discussed issues all over the world. Presence or absence of womens rights is appeared to be a strong indicator that helps to comprehend global well-being and humans prosperity. Lots of people think that womens rights are a burning problem in countries, where religion has certain power.
If fact, many Muslim countries, where religion turns out to be law, women face lots of problems and misunderstandings. Rola Dashti is one of the authors, who concentrate on the problems, women of Kuwait face day by day. She underlines that gender inequality and womens inability to vote should be analyzed, and certain changes should be made.
However, she is not the only author, who tries to pay the readers attention to problems any woman may face one day. Betty Friedan created a really magnificent work at the beginning of 1960s. It was The Feminine Mystique, the sparkle of national debates concerning womens roles in society. If we talk about the rights of women in the modern world, the works of these very authors should be taken into consideration at first.
Rola Dashti clearly explains that in Kuwait, the perfect role for women is to stay at home, raise children, take care of the house, and be subservient to their husbands under the false pretence that this is dictated by religious requirements. (Dashti, 2005) Those women, who do not want to accept these rules, have to be terrorized both socially and psychologically.
However, she cannot agree to such distribution of the roles, and she calls upon all people to look again at the situation, connected to womens rights, and provide all women with a chance to participate in the political, economical, and other spheres of life for better and safer future.
Betty Friedan points out that this very problem has no name stirring in the minds of so many American women today. (Friedan and Quindlen, 2001, p. 32) Without any doubts, women are victims of not fair system we live in. The point is that women have the only right to realize themselves through their own husbands, children, and homes.
With the help of Friedans work, we get to know more about the situations, our mothers and grandmothers could face, when they were young, and compare them to those life, modern women live. Of course, differences are noticeable: the women of 1960s got married at the young age and dropped their education in order to make the lives of their husband happier.
The life of women in Kuwait, described by Dashti, is almost the same even nowadays. More than 40 years ago, women started their movements in order to prove their rights to participate in the political life of their country, and only in 2005, women in Kuwait got the right to vote.
With time, women realize that their lives are incomplete, because they should think about their husbands and children only. Such lives seem to be a bit boring and incorrect. This is why womens rights problems are such types of problems, women have to solve independently.
Of course, the works by Friedan and Dashti may help a bit to realize the core of the problem and choose the best way to achieve success. If women have enough words to say in order to prove their rights, if they are ready to demonstrate their powers and abilities, they can easily achieve the desirable goals and become free. It is quite possible that free women will get more chances, opportunities, and desire to make the lives of their children, husbands, and their own lives better and happier.
Works Cited
Dashti, Rola. Can There Be Democracy with Marginalization? Bitterlemons-International, 28 Jul. 2005. Web.
Friedan, Betty, Quindlen, Anna. The Feminine Mystique. W. W. Norton & Co, 2001.
Both males and females in the society have unique gender roles which they play in the society. Although they have equal opportunities in life, the latter has historically struggled to assume a better position in a male dominated world. In spite of this, the case of the developed world is quite unique since women seem to be at the centre stage of development controlling more than 30 percent of businesses.
These developed economies are being transformed by females (Al-Ghazali & Sadi, 2010 pp.4-5). In Saudi Arabia alone, about 45 percent of the entire population is made up of females. This figure is a bit lower compared to that of the United States.
About 51 percent of the population in US is women. However, the Saudi Arabian disparity has been caused by the influx of several foreign male workers in Saudi Arabia leading to a lower female population. There are about 5.6 million expatriates in Saudi Arabia majority being men (UMUC Working paper, 2009, par. 7).
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia hosts about 23,000 businesswomen with a total of 62 billion dollars stacked in their accounts besides other resources.
By 2008, it was reported that a total of ten business executives who were women from Middle East made their record as among the best 100 bankers worldwide, indicating how women have not only excelled in conducting business, but are also great entrepreneurs and skilful in the business world (AlMunajjed, 1997 pp.141-143).
There are quite a number of business solution that have been adopted in the last five years to enable women have a conducive business environment that promises success. One of the compelling factors that will make Saudi women excel in business is education. Over 58 percent of university graduates are females.
In addition, the Saudi economy is still young and has a higher prospect of growth. Moreover, the Kingdom is well endowed with resources that are needed in any successful business environment. This has made the Saudi society to grow rapidly both in terms of capital accumulation and surplus investments.
Indeed, the aforementioned factors are great propellers for Saudi women who are planning to engage in entrepreneurial activities, including those who are in various businesses (Powell, 1993 p. 34). This paper seeks to extensively explore the various opportunities that women have for successful business operation in Saudi Arabia compared to United Kingdom.
The Public verses private sector
Both the public and private sectors play an integral role in building the economy of any country and Saudi Arabia is not an exception. While the public sector is run and managed by the government, the main players in the private sector are individuals who set up their own businesses and run them as private entities (AlMunajjed, 2009 p. 6).
Each of these sectors has unique merits and demerits. For instance, there are individuals who would prefer to be employed in the public sector largely due to job security and stable salary.
By the side, the private sector may also promise better salaries among other fringe benefits that come along with the job descriptions. The working environment may be enjoyable alongside flexibility at work which enhances creativity as well as skill development.
The Small Businesses and available opportunities
In spite of the existence small businesses in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, their variance has been remarkable over the past ten years both in terms of quality and number. This has also been the trend across the world (Zoepf, 2010 par.3). The private sector is steadily supplementing the public sector through spontaneous growth.
It is out of the small businesses that developed economies such as that of US have seen the light of day in economic progress. Moreover, small businesses have remarkably shaped the way business is done and as a result, the Saudi economy is experiencing growth mainly due to the existence and expansion of small businesses.
It has also been reported that small businesses are responsible for over 75 percent of new jobs being created (Heathfield, 2010). Similarly, the UK economy has been positively impacted by the growth impetus of small businesses. It is estimated that small firms are contributing significantly to employment creation.
Despite the enormous contribution of small businesses to the economy of Saudi Arabia, there are still several hiccups that demand to be resolved. It is imperative to note that the impacts of globalization is gradually injecting numerous changes in the small business world since the markets are now being integrated and also opened up to the world economy (Carter, Mason &Tagg, 2004 p.76).
Products and services can now be sold not only within the borders of the Saudi economy but also in other destinations. Hence, the element of competition is in board and cannot be ignored at all. Both the legislators as well as policy makers are gaining more interest in the development of small businesses largely due to the impact of this sector to the economy.
It is also believe that small businesses in Saudi Arabia (SMEs) is the main channel through which the private sector can boast of investment. Throughout the kingdom, the small businesses, most of which are run by women, constitute over 90% of the private sector investment (Zoepf, 2010 par.5). As already mentioned, these small businesses have been deemed to be the major creators of employment in Saudi Arabia.
Consequently, poverty alleviation is being celebrated due to small business not to mention the ability of these businesses to foster growth and innovation in business culture and technology. In addition, it is through the small businesses that new products and services are being developed to meet the growing needs of the population in the entire Kingdom.
Further estimates indicate that over 50 percent growth in the entire economy is expected to be realized in Saudi Arabia in the near future and this will mainly be contributed by small and medium sized enterprises.
It is against this backdrop that women in Saudi Arabia stand a higher chance of developing and growing their business skills both now and in the future (Marlow & Carter, 2005, pp.47-53). Better still, they have a better chance to succeed as entrepreneurs in Saudi Arabia as can be seen by the numerous opportunities for growth.
However, the worry that dons the small and medium sized enterprises under small businesses is that growth and prosperity is still being hindered by the very fact that the basic tools required are not readily in place. The small businesses operated by women in Saudi Arabia can only prosper if the right tools and business mechanics are put in place.
For instance, these small and medium sized enterprise lack adequate funds and various means through which they can access credit facilities. Contrary to the UK, the credit facilities are adequate and small business can fairly borrow to expand on their businesses. Worse still, small businesses in Saudi Arabia also face stiff government regulations that require them to comply with numerous policies.
The red tape for foreigners is even tighter. Moreover, the ignorance on the relative importance and contribution of small business has led to lack of statistics on their market progress and hence, they mainly operate without the much needed figures for carrying out business decisions. This is a similar case with many developing economies.
Therefore, the success of women in small and medium sized business enterprises will aptly require government intervention. The support from government will equally demand the private sector to participate and cooperate fully. Large and well established enterprises in the UK are indeed making a mark in developing and supporting the small businesses over and above the government support which is already in place.
Furthermore, there is a closer private-public sector partnership in UK that has enabled a profitable working environment among small businesses. This is a similar case with Saudi Arabia although the ties between the two sectors are not very strong.
In UK, there is a practical working framework that entails policy formulation on the progress and needs of small and medium sized enterprises. There is a systematic approach through which the government of the day is working closely with small businesses to ensure that they grow.
In comparison to Saudi Arabia, it is a lot easier to seek funding from the public sector to initiate small business in UK. Business women in Saudi Arabia would reach greater heights if and only if there were clear policy formulations in the Kingdom that seeks to support them in their business endeavors
Nature of entrepreneurs for women in Saudi Arabia
The Saudi Arabian woman has been affected by quite a number of barriers in her attempt to excel in doing business in the kingdom. For instance, the cultural setback that requires women to be submissive and seek permission from their male partners before engaging themselves in any decisions is a major setback. In takes a long before they can embark on serious business while in some cases, the permission is not granted.
This has adversely affected the business merit of these women bearing in mind that they have to compete equally with their male business rivals in the market (UMUC Working Paper Series, 2009, par.10). Another cultural hindrance emanates from the fact that women are not permitted to drive in Saudi Arabia.
It is common knowledge that any business person needs to travel frequently and when this is not possible, then most business deals may go sour. Contrary to the UK case, women have the liberty to drive freely and conduct their own businesses. While consulting their male partners is necessary before making some decisions, it is not a mandatory.
Additionally, there are limited government programs that have been tailor made to reach out for women in small businesses. In UK, such programs are in place and women are in a position to expand their businesses with much ease (Omar, 2008, pp 34-37).
However, the major disadvantage in UK is that small and medium sized enterprises are not very common and are not necessarily given the best concern in the business world. The economy has grown by double digits and only those with adequate capital may enjoy starting and running businesses in UK (Al-Ghazali & Sadi, 2010 pp.6-9). In other words, it is cheaper to start and maintain a mini business in Saudi Arabia than in UK.
The role of gender
The challenge posed by gender when staring and running small businesses is not limited in Saudi Arabia only. Despite the fact that there is no evidence that segregate enterprise ownership along gender line, current statistics reveal that only 15 percent of all business units are owned by women in UK while the remaining half is owned by males (Marlow & Patton, 2005 p.48).
Furthermore, there is minimal statistical evidence on the growing number of women engaging in self employment through small and medium sized enterprises.
For the past two decades or so, the increase in small business among women in UK has been small. Self employment among women has more been stagnant than growing and this has posed more concern on whether small and medium sized enterprises are well placed as alternative sources of employment especially among women (Madhi & Barrientos, 2003 p.112).
Comparatively, Saudi Arabian case has been one of the growing patterns in small and medium sized enterprises. As already noted the economy is still young, resources are abundant and in spite of lack of structured government support and funding, Saudi economy still provides the best opportunity for growing small businesses. It should also be noted that the very small businesses heavily depend on the immediate population.
The Saudi population is indeed an asset and impetus to the growth of its small business portfolio. Further research conducted in UK reveals that the likelihood of women becoming self employed is lower than men beside the bare fact that their business skills differ significantly from men (Business.com, 2010 par. 1). There seems to be a completely business platform and ideals in UK compared to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Khan, 2010).
For women who engage in small businesses as part of self employment, they mostly take part in traditional occupational sectors that have been known for ages like finance and education.
By the side, there are those who work on part-time basis. From this perspective, it is definite that gender has influenced women participation in small business both in UK and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and so it may not necessarily be a determining factor when carrying out comparative advantage between doing business either in UK or Saudi Arabia (Johnson, Sear & Jenkins, 2000 pp.55-59).
Being a social construction, gender is largely pinned to ether masculine or feminine characteristics. Right from the perspective of gender, stereotypes emerge such as the one that ascribes to the inability of a woman to manage personal business well without getting assistance from a male person.
For this reason, there are myriad of professional organizations that have been set up to act as custodian for women enterprises especially in Saudi Arabia. These organizations are managed professionally to assist in uplifting the level and expertise of women involvement in small and business enterprises without being sidelined by gender and other cultural stereotypes.
Role of small businesses
The role played by small and medium sized enterprises in the Saudi economy has been given much importance than in UK. The Saudi government believes that its economy would only grow if the small business are recognized and supported (Coleman, 2000 pp.38-40). For women, this must be a real impetus for growing their businesses in Saudi Arabia than in UK.
To begin with, small, and medium sized enterprises have significantly lowered the rate of high unemployed which was once being experienced in the economy. It is worth to note that large scale enterprises do not have the capacity to employ the growing population.
It is only through the creation of small businesses that unemployment can be brought down by double digits. Moreover, the small and medium sized enterprises are also easy to start and administer in comparison to large scale business establishments. Small capital is required and the legal requirements are also minimal.
For small and medium sized enterprises under the umbrella of small businesses, they have limited liability and therefore they can remain vibrant in the market in spite of the dynamics. Nonetheless, securing sufficient funding for these small businesses is still a hurdle especially in Saudi Arabia.
Moreover, they have weak capacities that delay expansion of their working capacities. Women in Saudi Arabia are more likely to succeed in small businesses there bearing in mind that up to 92% of businesses there are made up of small and medium sized enterprises, a practice not common in UK (Federation of Small Businesses, 2002 par. 3).
Although the small businesses are major drivers of the Saudi economy, their overall contribution to the GDP stands at only 33%. It is against this backdrop that the government has initiated the kafallah program to assist in the process of financing small and medium sized enterprises in the Kingdom. For women aspiring to start small businesses in Saudi Arabia, they have a higher chance of succeeding with a shorter time than their peers in UK.
Successful business women in UK
In spite of the gender and other cultural factors working against the success of women in small and medium-sized enterprises, there are those female personalities who have made a mark in the business world in UK and around the world.
One such successful woman in UK is Deborah Meaden. Although she is perceived to be highly entrepreneurial, Meaden is most likely to have crafted her business skills and ideas from the male dominated society without the fear of being outwitted.
She had a business mind from the early stages of her life and would settle for nothing less than her own run enterprise. She started off with the importation of glass and ceramics barely at 19 years (Burke & Davidson, 2000 pp.38-42). She has grown her business empire by leaps and bounds. In one of his latest establishments, Meaden started a marketing research company having gained vast knowledge in marketing from her previous business outfits.
Conclusion
In recap, it is vital to note that the Saudi Arabian economy is well placed both in terms of resources and human capital required to start small and medium-sized enterprises. The striking difference between the two economies namely UK and Saudi Arabia is that the latter is still in its growing phase while the former seems to be static especially in the growth and expansion of SMEs.
It is against this background that women who engage in small businesses in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have a higher probability of excelling than those in UK.
Additionally, small and medium-sized business enterprises remain to be major contributors to both Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and overall economic growth in developing and advanced countries. It is only through the public-private sector support that small businesses will ever grow to meaningful levels.
References
Al-Ghazali, M. & Sadi, M. (2010). Doing business with impudence: A focus on women entrepreneurship in Saudi Arabia. African Journal of Business management. 4(1): 1-11.
AlMunajjed, M. (1997). Women in Saudi Arabia Today. London: Macmillan.
AlMunajjed, M. (2009). Womens Employment in Saudi Arabia A Major Challenge. Booz & Co. Web.
Burke, R. & Davidson, M. (2000). Women in Management. SAGE Publications: London.
Business.com (2010). Research solutions. Web.
Carter, S. Mason, C. &Tagg, S. (2004). Lifting the Barriers to Business Survival and Growth: The FSB Biennial Survey 2004, London: Federation of Small Businesses.
Coleman, S. (2000). Access to Capital and Terms of Credit: A Comparison of Men- and Women-Owned Small Businesses, Journal of Small Business Management, 38 (3): 3752.
Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) (2002). Lifting the Barriers to Growth in UK Small Businesses, Blackpool.
Johnson, S., Sear, L. & Jenkins, A. (2000). Small Business Policy, Support and Governance, in Carter, S. &Jones-Evans, D., Enterprise and Small Business, London: Prentice Hall.
Khan, S. (2010). Women Fight Back: Dont Ban the Veil! The Daily Beast. Web.
Madhi, S. T. & Barrientos, A. (2003). Saudisation and employment in Saudi Arabia. Career Development International.
Marlow, S. P. & Carter, S. P. (2005). Access to finance: womens enterprise and the role of the accountant, London: Certified Accountants Educational Trust.
Marlow, S. and Patton, D. (2005). All Credit to Men? ddEntrepreneurship, Finance and Gender, Entrepreneurship, Theory and Practice, 29 (3): 52641.
Omair, K. (2008). Women in management in the Arab context. Education, Business and Society: Contemporary Middle Eastern Issues.
Powell, G (1993). Women & Men in Management (2nded.), London: SAGE Publications. UMUC Working Paper Series (2009) University of Maryland University College. Web.
Zoepf, K. (2010). Talk of Womens Rights Divides Saudi Arabia. The New York Times. Web.
Looking at our society today, we can say progress has been made in the areas of gender equality and female empowerment. However, there is a noticeable difference when we look at the earlier years of the 20th century and even further back into history. Advocating for gender equality at the various places of employment wasnt really an organized movement like it is nowadays. Few women who were in employment at these industries were held at different (or lower) standards when compared to their male counterparts. Even though such traits can still be seen in todays society, back then they were seen as the norm. Few women dared to oppose this status quo and those that did risk losing their jobs.
It was widely accepted that the role of women was to take care of the household and raise children. Even the ones who were educated could not participate in any income-generating activity which in the long run could be more beneficial to the family. Most of the girls growing up knew they would follow their mothers paths and their mothers encouraged them to do so as it was deemed to be a noble cause. It was inevitable that some of them would question this balance of power and demand for equality mostly at the places of employment.
Murmurs of equality began to be heard at the turn of the 20th century but it was the year 1963, when a not-so-well-known activist, Betty Friedan, wrote a book, The Feminine Mystique , which set the wheels of change in motion. Many of us think of her as one of the mothers of the modern womens movement . (Sullivan)
The Beginning
Born in 1921 to Jewish parents Harry and Miriam Goldstein in Peoria, Illinois, her childhood can be described as uneventful. Her mother wrote a society column for the local newspaper after her father became sick and could not continue working. Betty Friedan observed that her mother seemed happier when she was working than when she stayed at home. If her father did regain full recovery and was able to return to work, would her mother continue working? Probably not because the argument would be someone had to raise their daughter (Justine 1990).
It is worth noting that she later wrote I feel isolated from the community at times. (Justine 1990). During this time, the 2nd World War was about to break out and Hitler was fanning the flames of anti-Semitism not only in Europe but the world over. This wave of anti-Semitism flamed a passion inside her that she would later use to champion womens rights (Justine 1990).
Betty Friedan was successful in her academic pursuits and she graduated from high school to join Smith College. During her time as the chief editor of the college newspaper, her intensely political and strong antiwar columns did raise a few eyebrows. Her political activism followed her to the University of California, Berkeley, where she continued with her involvement with the Marxists drawing the attention of the FBI (A&E Television Networks).
Looking at her life in college we can see that the wheels of change were set in motion and the question really is whether she will continue with her activism or just simply conform to the norms of society. It requires a lot of strength and willpower to advocate for change in any society that has adapted to a routine where everyone plays their position
Change
What comes as a surprise is when Betty Friedan abandons her academic carrier after being pressured by her then-boyfriend. Maybe the continued surveillance by the FBI did affect their relationship. However, what comes as surprise is she did not oppose her boyfriends position yet she has already formed an image of an activist who is not afraid to speak her mind. She became a journalist for the Federal Press and it was here that she noticed the open discrimination that women faced at the workplace (A&E Television Networks).
The turning point reached when she went to ask for maternal leave during her second pregnancy. She was immediately fired. With a full-time job of raising the kids, we can say that life had come full circle for her whereby she was playing the role society expected of her. However, the seeds that were sown from a tender age watching her mother work and the passions inflamed by the anti-Semitic wave drove her towards asking the tough questions that the male-dominated society wasnt ready to answer.
Friedan conducted a study of other college graduates and discovered that they were all having the same feelings of discontent but they didnt know how to channel it or even where these feelings were really coming from. It is worth noting that these women were housewives and they all had these similar problems (Justine 1990).
Through their responses, she published the groundbreaking book, Feminine Mystique . It challenged the womans role as a homemaker and a full-time housewife yet deep down there was this trapped feeling that most women related to. The book further added that though most women were content with staying at home, they were not happy and they wanted to be a part of the social and economic changes that were taking place.
The book elicited massive debate from all sides with women finally getting a voice to channel their frustrations and call for an amendment of the retrogressive laws that were discriminating against women. We can say this book laid the groundwork for activism amongst women and the desire to fight for equality and their own rights.
In 1966 Betty Friedan together with Pauli Murray formed the National Organization for Women which had over 500,000 members and fought tirelessly for womens rights. The body advocated for equal pay for women at the workplace and equal employment. Her argument was that most women were doing the same kind of work as men in the industrial societies and therefore it beat logic why they were being paid less and some of these women had to rush home from work to prepare food for their families and take care of the kids. She also called for a ban on job advertisements that discriminated against particular sex or race (Justine 1990).
Furthermore, she pushed for maternity leave for parents and the creation of daycare centers for working parents. However, her stand on abortion where she called for its legalization created a division amongst women with some thinking that this was quite radical but eventually abortion was legalized in certain states. In the field of politics together with Gloria Steinem and other women who advocated for their rights, she pushed for the rights of women voters and their equal representation in the political processes such as vying for office and raising campaign funds through contributions. She also addressed the income inequality between men and women. The contribution of these women has led to society having a totally different view of todays modern woman. The process towards change wasnt an easy path. Members of the press dismissed the womens movement that was spurred by the publication Feminine Mystique . Besides this, the book was nearly not published because most publishers who were male did not want to be associated with that book (A&E Television Networks).
The number of writers and career women that Betty Friedan has had an effect on cannot be counted but the basis she should be judged on is a movement she started that revolutionized every working woman. Her movement not only changed the rules of society to provide equal opportunities for women but also empowered women to believe in themselves and strive to be the best as they pursue their dreams. Naomi Betty Freidman will best be remembered as one of the leading 20th Century feminist and womens rights movement voices.
References
A&E Television Networks: Betty (Naomi) Friedan Biography: Web.
Blau, Justine (1990) Betty Friedan. New York: Chelsea House, Betty (Naomi) Friedan Sullivan Patricia: Voice of Feminisms 2nd Wave. Web.
The fight for women’s rights has been a long and rough one that has spanned ages and continents. There are many problems in this fight, such as the right to vote, work, go to school, and live without fear of violence. Even though women’s rights are basic human rights, they have been ignored or rejected in many places around the world for a long time. The start of the women’s suffrage movement in the late 1800s and early 1900s was a turning point in this ongoing battle. It set the stage for later waves of feminist activism that tried to challenge and break down the systemic unfairness women face.
Some of the more complicated problems that are now part of the fight for gender equality are reproductive rights, pay gaps between men and women, and the number of women in politics and business leadership positions. Even though there has been improvement, the battle is still not over. Violence and abuse based on gender are still common, which shows how important it is to keep speaking out and taking action. The goal of these pieces is to look at the history of the women’s rights movement, including its successes, problems, and the way forward. By looking at all the different sides of this fight, we can see how strong and determined the people who are fighting for gender equality are. They want to see a world where rights are not based on gender.
100 Words Essay about women’s rights
Women’s rights are a crucial pillar of modern society, representing the fight for equality and justice in a world historically dominated by gender discrimination. This movement challenges the deep-rooted inequalities that hinder women’s social, economic, and political participation. From securing the right to vote to combating gender-based violence, the struggle for women’s rights has catalyzed significant legal and societal changes. However, despite progress, challenges persist, including wage gaps, underrepresentation in leadership, and restricted reproductive rights. Advocacy for women’s rights is not just a fight for gender equality but a quest for human dignity, underscoring the importance of solidarity, activism, and continuous effort towards an equitable world.
250 Words Essay about women’s rights
Women’s rights, an integral component of global human rights, spotlight the necessity for equality and fairness in accessing opportunities and resources regardless of gender. This movement, deeply rooted in history, has evolved from the suffragette campaigns of the early 20th century, advocating for the right to vote, to contemporary struggles that encompass a broader spectrum of issues such as reproductive rights, protection against gender-based violence, and equality in the workplace. The journey towards gender equality has been marked by significant milestones, including legislative reforms and societal shifts that recognize women’s rights as fundamental human rights.
Despite these advancements, the fight for women’s rights continues to face substantial obstacles. Women around the world still grapple with disparities in pay, limited access to education and healthcare, and the pervasive threat of violence and discrimination. These challenges are exacerbated for women of color, women with disabilities, and those from marginalized communities, highlighting the intersectional nature of the struggle for gender equality.
The importance of women’s rights extends beyond the pursuit of equality; it is about building a just and equitable society where every individual can thrive. Achieving this vision requires collective action and sustained advocacy to dismantle the systemic barriers that perpetuate gender inequality. It involves challenging traditional norms, holding institutions accountable, and empowering women to participate fully in all aspects of life. As we move forward, the global community must prioritize women’s rights, recognizing that progress for women is progress for humanity.
400 Words Essay about women’s rights
Women’s rights, integral to the fabric of global human rights, embody the relentless pursuit of equality, dignity, and justice for half the world’s population. Historically marginalized, women have fought tirelessly against systemic barriers to claim their rightful place in society. This struggle, transcending mere access to voting rights, delves into the core of reproductive autonomy, professional opportunities, education, and freedom from violence. The journey toward gender equality is both profound and complex, reflecting the multifaceted nature of discrimination that women face across different cultures and socio-economic contexts.
The inception of the women’s rights movement in the late 19th century marked a pivotal shift towards recognizing and addressing the grievances of women. Early suffragettes laid the groundwork for what would become a global endeavor to dismantle patriarchal systems that have long suppressed women’s voices. Their victories, however, were only the beginning. The latter half of the 20th century saw a resurgence of feminist activism, with a focus on achieving economic independence, sexual and reproductive health rights, and equal representation in political and corporate leadership.
Despite significant progress, the fight for women’s rights continues to encounter resistance. Gender pay gaps, unequal distribution of domestic responsibilities, and limited access to senior leadership roles underscore the persistent inequalities in the workplace. Furthermore, women’s bodily autonomy remains a contentious issue, with reproductive rights being eroded in various parts of the world. Gender-based violence, a pervasive and devastating issue, highlights the urgent need for comprehensive policies and cultural shifts to protect women’s safety and dignity.
The advancement of women’s rights is not only a moral and ethical imperative but also a catalyst for social and economic development. Empowering women and ensuring their rights are protected contributes to healthier, more prosperous societies. It’s imperative that both men and women actively participate in this ongoing struggle, advocating for policies that promote gender equality, challenging discriminatory norms, and supporting initiatives that empower women.
In conclusion, the path to achieving women’s rights is fraught with challenges but illuminated by the resilience and courage of women around the world. As we forge ahead, it is crucial to remember that the fight for gender equality is not just a women’s issue; it is a human issue that requires the collective effort of all members of society. By embracing diversity, promoting inclusivity, and dismantling the structures of oppression, we can build a world where every woman has the opportunity to live freely, equally, and without fear.
500 Words Essay about women’s rights
The struggle for women’s rights is a testament to the enduring spirit of resilience, courage, and the quest for justice that has defined human history. This movement, deeply rooted in the fight against systemic oppression and inequality, seeks to dismantle the patriarchal structures that have long marginalized women and restricted their freedoms. From the early suffragette campaigns advocating for the right to vote to the contemporary movements challenging gender discrimination and violence, the journey towards gender equality has been both arduous and inspiring.
Women’s rights encompass a broad spectrum of issues, including but not limited to, the right to education, equal employment opportunities, reproductive rights, and protection against gender-based violence. These rights are fundamental, not only as a matter of justice and equality but also for the overall development and progress of society. The empowerment of women and the protection of their rights are crucial for achieving sustainable development, reducing poverty, and promoting global peace and security.
Despite significant strides made in various parts of the world, women continue to face formidable challenges. Gender pay gaps, underrepresentation in political and corporate leadership, and the scourge of domestic and sexual violence are stark reminders of the long road ahead. Moreover, the intersectionality of women’s rights highlights how race, ethnicity, class, and other social determinants exacerbate discrimination and inequality. Women from marginalized communities often face compounded challenges, underscoring the need for an inclusive and intersectional approach to women’s rights.
The global nature of the women’s rights movement has fostered solidarity and shared purpose among women from diverse backgrounds. International platforms, such as the United Nations’ Commission on the Status of Women and various non-governmental organizations, have been instrumental in advancing the cause of gender equality. These bodies have worked tirelessly to promote legal and policy reforms, raise awareness about women’s rights, and hold governments accountable for their commitments to gender equality.
Education plays a pivotal role in the women’s rights movement. It is both a right and a tool for empowerment, providing women with the knowledge and skills needed to participate fully in economic, social, and political life. Access to quality education not only opens up opportunities for women but also contributes to breaking the cycle of poverty and fostering a culture of gender equality.
The digital age has brought new dimensions to the struggle for women’s rights, with social media and online platforms offering unprecedented opportunities for advocacy and mobilization. Campaigns like #MeToo have highlighted the prevalence of sexual harassment and assault, sparking global conversations and leading to tangible changes in laws and societal attitudes. However, the digital divide and online gender-based violence also pose new challenges, requiring innovative solutions to protect and empower women in the digital world.
So, the fight for women’s rights is an ongoing struggle that requires the commitment and action of all members of society. It is a struggle not just for women but for anyone who believes in the principles of equality, justice, and human dignity.
Breaking Boundaries: Women Abolitionists Challenge 19th Century Patriarchy
Thousands of American women in the years leading up to the Civil War were staunch abolitionists, and some even had prestigious leadership positions within the anti-slavery movement. However, these women were not immune to the patriarchal ideology that dominated America at the time. The American public largely disapproved of female involvement in the struggle for social change, as women were not supposed to be in politics. Therefore, involvement in the abolitionist movement was a unique opportunity for women to break traditional gender roles.
Instead of following the status quo and adopting strictly domestic roles, females fighting for abolition received training through the anti-slavery movement to become effective, active social reformers. Leading female abolitionists Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Stanton, Lucretia Mott, and Lucy Stone had learned crucial organizational and rhetorical skills. They planned large public events and coordinated thousands of supporters in their anti-slavery efforts. Female abolitionists learned to speak and write persuasively to mass audiences about key political and social topics.
While fighting for African American rights, women in the abolitionist movement of the early 19th century saw parallels between their own limited freedoms and those of enslaved black people. Women discovered their own voices as they championed anti-slavery. Using their newly honed public speaking and organizational skills, female activists articulated their own political, social, and familial grievances.
Abolition and Women’s Rights: Unity, Tension, and Suffrage
For years, anti-slavery efforts worked in tandem with the women’s rights movement. A notable example of this alliance is Frederick Douglass, one of the most recognized and outspoken advocates of abolition and women’s rights in the 1850s. Another is William Lloyd Garrison, a prominent abolitionist, suffragist, and feminist supporter. Eventually, male and female social reformers came together to form the American Equal Rights Association, hereafter called the AERA, an organization designed to combine the resources and energy of the black and women’s suffrage movements.
But when the Civil War ended slavery and forced politicians of the Reconstruction era to redefine various terms such as citizenship and other guaranteed rights of Americans, tensions within the AERA escalated. Congress was revising voting rights to make them more inclusive, creating a rare political window of opportunity for female enfranchisement. Women’s rights activists proceeded full steam. However, politicians focused on expanding and redefining civil rights for black males, not women, in the aftermath of the Civil War. Once close allies, the abolitionist movement and women’s rights campaign, were at a crossroads as both groups wanted suffrage, but the political climate was not calling for universal voting rights.
The 15th Amendment granted the right to vote for black men in America and served as a chief catalyst for dissension among both men and women in both the abolitionist party and the women’s rights movement. The abolitionist movement was a tremendous driving force for empowering women, but dissent among anti-slavery leaders over the inclusivity of females in black-male enfranchisement efforts after the Civil War created a stark divide, evoking patriarchal attitudes and racial tensions that forced female activists to split from the AERA and their former allies of anti-slavery.
19th Century Gender Roles: The Cult of Domesticity and Its Impact
A discussion of gender roles in the 1800s must include the cult of domesticity, also known as the cult of true womanhood. In the first half of the 19th century, Americans largely believed that women belonged in the domestic sphere and should not pursue any work outside the home. This belief romanticized women as the “angel of the house” and as the “spiritual and moral goodness of the nuclear family.” But such female valorization belied how males relegated women. In addition to forbiddance to work outside the home, women had to act submissive toward their husbands at all times. This culture emphasized the idea that women were both physically and intellectually inferior to men as they were essentially male subordinates.
A woman might eschew such a secondary role by choosing to remain single, but ridicule and pity by the community were inevitable. Leaving the domestic sphere through divorce was anathema as marriage was a sacred commitment, the sundering of which faced strong social and religious objections. Social expectations for women were to be bound to motherhood and the home. Women were supposed to be educators of the young they raised, teaching them to be good citizens of the new country. Opportunities to do otherwise were rare and largely scorned by friends, family, and the public.
Bound to motherhood and the home, women faced a myriad of social, political, economic, educational, and even religious restrictions. To begin, inheritance in a family followed patrilineal succession, so women were often excluded. Earning their wealth independently had its own set of barriers, as jobs for women were often limited to low-paying positions that extended the domestic sphere, such as domestic service, seamstresses, and washers. Restrictions also permeated female fashion; veils, gloves, and long skirts ensured women’s bodies were properly covered. In politics, women possessed virtually no formal rights. Women’s public roles were largely confined to displaying their domestic and moral virtues through religious participation or charity work. Education was also extremely limited, as most colleges did not even admit women in the early 1800s.
Perhaps the ideas of philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau can best summarize the status quo for women during this era: the only natural order system was a patriarchal one, and women and men had to work in separate spheres based on their genetically decided areas of influence.
Opportunity for Women to Break Gender Roles
The Second Great Awakening was a tremendous opportunity for women to break gender roles and receive public recognition for their political adroitness. A protestant religious revival during the early 19th century, the Second Great Awakening addressed the virtues and behaviors of Americans. The movement called for a wide array of reforms to end injustices and alleviate suffering. Preachers of Baptist and Methodist congregations were often the leaders of the movement.
However, the most striking and consistent characteristic of the Second Great Awakening was the youthfulness of its participants. Time and time again, ministers noted that religious concerns and conversions most frequently involved youths, a term generally applied to those between twelve and twenty. Interestingly, most of the youth affected by the revivals were female. Young women made up the largest single-age and sex grouping in these revivals.
After the Second Great Awakening and its boom of reform movements, many women joined in the politics of the country and started fighting for social justice. One of the largest legislative changes the Great Awakening called for was emancipation on religious grounds.
Women showed their support for emancipation through numerous methods. Some were writers for abolitionist papers; others delivered petitions to Congress while publicly speaking against the ills of slavery. A number of women rose to prominence at this time by breaking their gender roles and joining the abolitionist movement.
Susan B. Anthony: From Abolition to Women’s Suffrage Champion
A prominent example was Susan Brownell Anthony, a well-known temperance and women’s suffrage activist. Born into a Quaker family, Anthony was exposed to abolitionist ideals early in her life as Quakers were among the first white people to denounce slavery. Anthony was raised in Massachusetts, where her father was especially active in abolitionism. Consequently, she grew up with the belief that “everyone under God is equal,” though she noticed this was not common practice in America.
Anthony persistently called for abolition long before the Republican Party challenged slavery in the South. In fact, it was Anthony and Stanton, mentioned later in this paper, who circulated petitions asking Congress to abolish slavery as a war measure. “Until these petitions came to Congress, few of the leaders were ready to acknowledge that a Civil War could justify such a measure.” In the years leading up to the Civil War, Lincoln’s personal stance against slavery was well known, yet Lincoln and the Republican Party were more concerned with stopping the spread of slavery to newly formed western states rather than getting rid of it entirely. Susan, however, would accept nothing less than the end of slavery.
In addition to her written words, her spoken words also resonated with the public. She gave hundreds of speeches on anti-slavery. She is known for her rich contralto voice that could be easily heard by audiences numbering several thousand people. “She spoke in a strong, argumentative style, and by her clear logic and intense earnestness, she convinced all those who heard her.” As Anthony fought for the freedom of black slaves, she saw injustice parallels in her own life. Becoming a teacher in her early twenties, Anthony faced many restrictions as a female, such as unequal wages for women. Additionally, Anthony was a staunch advocate for female enfranchisement. In fact, she is perhaps the most widely known suffragist of her generation and, at the very least, has become an icon of the women’s suffrage movement.
Elizabeth Stanton: Abolitionist Fire and Women’s Rights Pioneer
Another woman to break gender roles and join the abolitionist movement was Elizabeth Stanton. As the daughter of one of the most prominent lawyers in New York, Stanton lived a wealthy childhood. She received an education seldom given to women in the 19th century. Still, she experienced gender discrimination from even her own family. Daniel Cady, her father, did not advocate for the social reform movement and, accordingly, did not encourage Stanton’s foray into the women’s rights movement. He even stated that she should have been born a boy.
Despite the hardship Stanton faced at home, there was a tremendous advantage to being a part of the Stanton family. With her father’s profession being in law, Stanton was exposed to the laws relevant to women’s rights and understood how she could petition to have a law changed. This knowledge was instrumental in her leading the New York Women’s Rights Movement.
But before she focused on women’s rights, she was an abolitionist. Elizabeth Cady Stanton was a politically shrewd observer of the Underground Railroad. She worked alongside numerous prominent abolitionist reformers, including Frederick Douglass, William Lloyd Garrison, and Susan B. Anthony. In fact, when the Civil War broke out, Stanton and Anthony formed the Women’s Loyal National League to encourage Congress to pass the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery.
Antebellum Stanton worked hand in hand with the anti-slavery movement as she fought for women’s rights. She, too, saw parallels between her own struggles for equal rights and those of the enslaved. She recognized that both groups were being denied equality, freedom, and democracy. In a speech before the American Anti-Slavery Society, she famously said: “Yes, this is the only organization on God’s footstool where the humanity of a woman is recognized, and these are the only men who have ever echoed back her cries for justice and equality. The mission of the Radical Anti-Slavery Movement is not to the African slave alone, but to the slaves of custom, creed, and sex, as well, and most faithfully has it done its work.”
Lucretia Mott: Unwavering Voice for Abolition and Women’s Rights
By 1848, Lucretia Mott had already achieved prominence across the nation. In this year alone, she addressed the first women’s rights conventions at Seneca Falls and Rochester, as well as the annual meeting of the American Anti-slavery Society in New York City. Mott was also a member of two anti-slavery organizations, the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society and the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society. Both of these interracial organizations denounced slavery as a sin and called for its immediate end.
Mott wanted the public to acknowledge the degrading and brutalizing reality of plantation slavery. For the era she lived in, Mott’s insistence on individual and racial equality was a radical message, but she preached it still to a wide variety of audiences, including those hostile to her views. Mott and the members of the Philadelphia Female Anti-Slavery Society urged abolitionists for nearly thirty-six years to be uncompromising in their opposition to slavery. She even preached abstinence from slave-made products.
Similar to the other female abolitionists discussed earlier, Mott saw parallels between her struggles and those of the oppressed slaves. Having attended the Quaker boarding school Nine Partners in New York, Mott learned of the horrors of slavery from her readings and from visiting lecturers such as Elias Hicks, a well-known Quaker abolitionist. But even in the Quaker community, which was known for touting racial equality, Mott saw that women and men were not treated equally; she discovered that female teachers at Nine Partners earned less than males.
Mott took various steps to champion female empowerment. She was one of the founders of the Transatlantic Women’s Rights Movement. Yet, she also had a firm commitment to anti-slavery efforts all the while. In 1866, she became the first president of the American Equal Rights Association, AERA, an organization formed to achieve equality for African Americans and women.
Lucy Stone: Trailblazer in Abolition and Women’s Rights
A notable suffragist and abolitionist, Lucy Stone dedicated her life to combating inequality in all its forms. She broke barriers by becoming the first Massachusetts woman to earn a college degree. Stone defied gender norms when she famously wrote marriage vows to reflect her egalitarian beliefs and refused to take her husband’s last name. Yet, her feminist views did not overshadow her abolitionist spirit. She was raised in the Congregational Church and embraced her father’s anti-slavery zeal.
Almost thirty when she completed her education, Stone’s career prospects seemed dim since few professions were open to women. Renowned abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison, however, hired her for his American Anti-Slavery Society. There, she wrote and delivered abolitionist speeches while also serving as an active leader in women’s rights. Soon, Stone was serving on the executive committee of the American Equal Rights Association.
Garrison’s Stand: Abolitionism and Advocacy for Women’s Rights
Historians largely regard William Lloyd Garrison as the voice of abolitionism. A distinguished leader in the anti-slavery movement, Garrison was heavily involved in numerous forms of abolitionist activity. His most well-known contribution was The Liberator, a newsletter reaching thousands of individuals worldwide starting in 1831. The publication reflected his moral outrage about slavery as well as his relentless, uncompromising position of immediate emancipation. In 1832, he founded the New England Anti-Slavery Society. He then met with delegates from around the nation to form the American Anti-Slavery Society in 1833.
William Garrison fully acknowledged the marked leadership of lady activists, offering sincere praise with the following words, “The women have done and are doing more for the extirpation of slavery than the other sex. In their petitions to Congress, they outnumber us at least three, perhaps five to one.” The significance of Garrison’s words lies in the fact that the process of petitioning is an eloquent act of political advocacy requiring clear, persuasive articulations of the issues at hand. Women’s anti-slavery work was inextricably linked to anti-slavery petitioning public documents sophisticated for their political acuity.
Women at the Forefront: Garrison’s Defense of Female Abolitionists
Abolitionist work catapulted many women who were committed to national ideals, social justice, and reform to leadership positions in interracial organizations, and it also accorded some of them unprecedented visibility in predominantly male institutional groups such as the New England Slavery Society. Garrison came to the defense of women’s rights when members of the party derided female participation. Patriarchy was not mutually exclusive to the abolitionist movement.
References
Smith, J. (2023). Breaking Boundaries: Women Abolitionists Challenge 19th Century Patriarchy. In Johnson, R. (Ed.), Social Movements and Gender Roles. Academic Press.