When did the modern day feminism begin? We usually see its origin in the political ideas of the eighteenth century ‘Enlightenment’ and the French Revolution, which regarded all human beings as rational creatures and who should enjoy the same fundamental rights. This idea gave rise to a movement which is usually called liberal feminism or equal-rights feminism.
People and activists who discussed about women's equality prior to the existence of the feminist movement are sometimes called as protofeminist. Some scholars, however, criticize this term's usage. They argue that it diminishes the importance of the earlier contributions. On the other hand others argue that feminism does not have a single, linear history as implied by the terms such as protofeminist or postfeminist.
There are a number of European countries that witnessed the rise of feminism and these countries are a must visit for any modern day woman who believes that man and woman are born equal and should live equal.
1. Russia
“Cooking and fashion—that’s not freedom” says a famous graffiti on the walls of St. Petersburg in 2006. Feminism in Russia started in the 18th century. It was influenced by the Western European Enlightenment wave but was restricted to the elite class only. Although suffrage and nominal equality for women in education and workplace was obtained in 1917, yet few ventured out. They were mostly confined to the conventional roles. It was only after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 that the feminist circles arose among the intelligentsia.
2. Denmark
Feminism in Denmark has been through two major periods of activity: the first-wave feminism peaked in the years 1870-1920, and the second-wave peaked in 1970-85. The movement was called The Redstockings Movement. It resulted in revision of the 1915 Constitution which gave way to voting rights to women. The wave also resulted in a series of equal opportunity laws during the 1920’s. Women were now legally equal to men, had the right to vote, access to education and work and the same marital rights and obligations.
3. France
Feminism in France owes its origins to the French Revolution. The main focus of the movement was on égalité or gender equality. Olympe de Gouges, a French playwright and political activist was a famous torch bearer of this movement. Her feminist ideas and abolitionist writings grasped a larger audience. She argued that women who are being held accountable to the law must also bear equal responsibility under the law. She addressed marriage as a social contract between equals and attacked women's reliance on beauty and charm as a form of slavery.
4. Germany
Feminism in Germany started in 1888 and continued till 1918. This period was called the Wilhelmine period. It started as a movement put forward by individual women and women’s rights groups pressurising different traditional institutions, from universities to government, to open their doors to women. The movement culminated in the voting rights for women in the year 1919.
5. Poland
Feminism in Poland started in the 1920’s. The women’s rights groups and activists mainly advocated for women's personal, social, and legal independence from men; promoted family planning, sexual education, divorce and abortion rights, and lastly gender equality.
People and activists who discussed about women's equality prior to the existence of the feminist movement are sometimes called as protofeminist. Some scholars, however, criticize this term's usage. They argue that it diminishes the importance of the earlier contributions. On the other hand others argue that feminism does not have a single, linear history as implied by the terms such as protofeminist or postfeminist.
There are a number of European countries that witnessed the rise of feminism and these countries are a must visit for any modern day woman who believes that man and woman are born equal and should live equal.
1. Russia
“Cooking and fashion—that’s not freedom” says a famous graffiti on the walls of St. Petersburg in 2006. Feminism in Russia started in the 18th century. It was influenced by the Western European Enlightenment wave but was restricted to the elite class only. Although suffrage and nominal equality for women in education and workplace was obtained in 1917, yet few ventured out. They were mostly confined to the conventional roles. It was only after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 that the feminist circles arose among the intelligentsia.
2. Denmark
Feminism in Denmark has been through two major periods of activity: the first-wave feminism peaked in the years 1870-1920, and the second-wave peaked in 1970-85. The movement was called The Redstockings Movement. It resulted in revision of the 1915 Constitution which gave way to voting rights to women. The wave also resulted in a series of equal opportunity laws during the 1920’s. Women were now legally equal to men, had the right to vote, access to education and work and the same marital rights and obligations.
3. France
Feminism in France owes its origins to the French Revolution. The main focus of the movement was on égalité or gender equality. Olympe de Gouges, a French playwright and political activist was a famous torch bearer of this movement. Her feminist ideas and abolitionist writings grasped a larger audience. She argued that women who are being held accountable to the law must also bear equal responsibility under the law. She addressed marriage as a social contract between equals and attacked women's reliance on beauty and charm as a form of slavery.
4. Germany
Feminism in Germany started in 1888 and continued till 1918. This period was called the Wilhelmine period. It started as a movement put forward by individual women and women’s rights groups pressurising different traditional institutions, from universities to government, to open their doors to women. The movement culminated in the voting rights for women in the year 1919.
5. Poland
Feminism in Poland started in the 1920’s. The women’s rights groups and activists mainly advocated for women's personal, social, and legal independence from men; promoted family planning, sexual education, divorce and abortion rights, and lastly gender equality.
