Definition: Entitles women and girls to freedoms and rights equal to those of men and boys.
But is that really true? Do we, as women and girls, actually have the right to be equal to men and boys? According to me, I think yes and no. We are shunned in many ways internationally—not by everyone, but we are—and treated inhumanely in certain countries.
Women have only had modern rights—not full rights—since 1893, but that was only in New Zealand. If you research more, you will find that New Zealand has been declared one of the best countries, because of human rights (i.e. Women’s Rights), virtually has no predators and is one of the best countries for being “green”.
Rights for women have always been fought for, and naturally by activists. These activists are more commonly known as Feminists. There have been many over the years, but people only started speaking out during the 16th century, and their voices only put into action in the late 18th century. The Islamic culture, however, have recognized women and expanded their rights in marriage, inheritance and divorce in between the years 610 and 661. Islamic folk were well ahead of many other civilisations in this respect, until only in the past 300 years have European civilisations finally acknowledged women’s rights as human beings.
During the 16th century, female authors began to realise their rights as women. Two famous and well-known are the author Jane Anger from London and the prophetess Anna Trapnell. Jane Anger is most famous for a mere pamphlet published in 1589 titled Jane Anger, her Protection for Women, to Defend them Against Scandalous Reports of a Late Surfeiting Lover, and All Other Like Venerians that Complain so to be Over-Cloyed with Women’s Kindness. The title is explaining what the content of the pamphlet is, which is practically a guide for women to not be afraid and speak up. The pamphlet quotes in one particular section of a paragraph:
“Fie on the falsehood of men, whose minds go oft a madding, a whole tongues cannot so soon be wagging, but straight they fall a tattling. Was there ever any so abused, so slandered, so railed upon, so wickedly handled undeservedly, as are we women.” -Jane Anger
Jane Anger was most definitely shunned from society, though many believed and still believe that her name was pseudonymous.
Anna Trapnell, however, was a prophetess, one who predicted things that would happen, or one could call her a Fortune-teller, though she did not read fortunes. Miss Trapnell fell into a trance for eleven days, praying, singing and prophesying in front of an audience. She was against the government at the time and fought for rights for women equal to those of men. Being that her time was grounded heavily of the power of men, she was accused as a witch and insane because of her battles for women. She was brutally tortured and imprisoned, tried unfairly. Not all Feminists, nor at all, are received nicely.
In Modern Day society, one may think women in North America have rights enough equal to men, but many beg to differ. Take a high school setting such as this. Teenage girls are called derogatory names, offensive to anyone. As I think about these terrible names, I come to realise that there are few offensive terms like those for boys, not that we necessarily need them. It is because men have been seen for centuries as the mighty and the powerful. We girls are like animals to some men, to be teased and taunted, a show. It is unfortunate that women seem to think they need to dress inappropriately to attract attention. I find those who dress improperly are typically self-conscious, and their clothes attract the wrong sort of attention. Women—so people listen—should be smart and speak out, not hiding under a crude disguise.
Though Canada has had its problems with women’s suffrage and rights, it is on the Top 10 list for best countries for women. In fact, the other nine countries are Iceland, Norway, Australia, Ireland, Sweden, Switzerland, Japan, the Netherlands and France. The United States still have rights problems for women, as they have signed a contract but not yet ratified.
Some of the worst countries for women are—you guessed it—Afghanistan because of an on-going war for thirty years and conditions are terrible for childbirth and many women are put into prostitution. Another country is Pakistan, because women must take responsibility for their husband’s actions, and a punishment may be being raped.
Education for third-world countries for women is below even the lowest standards here in Canada. India, Morocco and Pakistan are the only three countries where women have 70% of literacy education less than men. Many other countries that have been said also have low education standards for women.
Canada, though they installed rights for women following New Zealand’s act, has very liberal rights for women. Long ago, though, there was a law in 1917 that only women with British blood and also had close relatives in the military force could participate in governmental elections. Two years later, in 1919, full voting grants were given to women and most provinces followed suit soon afterwards, excepting Quebec which granted women with these rights in 1940. Still, in 1919 and after, women were still not considered proper “people”. It only occurred to the parliament when the Famous Five, a group of women, petitioned that women should be included in the British North America Act under the definition of “persons of Canada”. Finally, after many long debates, the definition was changed and women and men were both included. And last, but definitely not least, in 1970, Prime Minister Pierre E. Trudeau granted basic rights to every single citizen of Canada, including women.
Women have struggled incessantly to have freedom like men, to be equal to men and to live like men. Fighting for women’s rights have been going on since before anyone can remember, something both appalling but showing women’s strengths. In other countries, battles are still being fought and fellow women of other countries are helping by doing as much as they can. Freedom for women is there, but still needs to be fought for.
