Individuals Connected With Women’s Rights, Essay Example

Feminist Alice Paul, risked her life in order to fight for the female right to vote and obtain American citizenship for women.  She was responsible for compiling the first equal rights amendments to be put before Congress.  Together with other social reformers, she led the struggle against more conservative forces, in order to get Congress to pass the 19th amendment. Alice Paul was one of the leading campaigners who fought for women’s suffrage and historians credit her for significant accomplishments in this field.  (Medic)

The struggle for women’s rights in America began in the 1820s, with the writings of Fanny Wright.  Wright also advocated for the abolition of slavery.  Her views had little support at the time, and it was not until 1848 that Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott  held a women’s rights convention in Seneca Falls, that the matters surfaced again.  In 1866, Stanton, mocked and Anthony est. the American equal rights Association, and in 1869 saw the national women’s suffrage Association.  Being inaugurated.

Alice Paul joined the women’s social and political Union.  Their activities resulted in being arrested and imprisoned on three separate occasions.  In 1913, she joined with Lucy Burns and Olympia Brown to form the Congressional Union for women’s suffrage and attempted to introduce more militant practices, successfully carried out by the women’s Council and political Union in England.  26 August 1920 the 19th amendment was ratified by the Secretary of State in America. (Simpkin). ” While none of the major characters in Iron Jawed Angels is younger than 18, teenagers can easily identify with these women, denied the right to vote, denied control over any substantial money, their interests dismissed by condescending politicians. During World War I, feminists bitterly watched President Woodrow Wilson talk about the need for democracy in Germany, while ignoring those denied democratic representation here in America. Recent “minors” who heard President Bush talk about Iraq’s need for democracy can identify.”  (Medic)

The struggle for women’s rights, remains an international concern, even to this very day.  In particular the rights of the African woman who toils night and day amidst almost intolerable conditions of poverty.  They suffer extremely difficult social and prejudicial conditions.  Despite all of this women continue to fight for their human rights, race eloquence and tenacity.  Religion is also a contribution factor in denying women their basic rights.  The Islamic world seems particularly at fault here, unable to break away from outmoded tradition.  Prejudice here seems more focused towards women in the lower classes of society.  Whereas a more affluent women are able to gain much more independence and freedom. ” Muslim women have been developing a distinctly “Islamic” feminism, just as women of color in the West have been developing “womanism” in contrast to feminism, which primarily was shaped by the concerns of upper-class Euro-American women. One example of the differences between Western feminism and Islamic feminism concerns the issue of “veiling.” The hijab (often translated as “veil”) is the form of scarf or hair covering commonly worn by Muslim women. It has always been seen by the Western feminist as oppressive and as a symbol of a Muslim woman’s subservience to men.”  ( Women in Islam: Muslim Women).

Afghanistan is another country where women continue long women’s rights.  In April 2009 we’ve witnessed a group of more than 300 women protesters demanded the government in Kabul.  repeal a repressive new law that admitted marital rape.  The women were granted either the populace as being whores.  The government’s stance in supporting this law shocked the Western world.” For many westerners, nothing demonstrates the essentially “backward” or “medieval” nature of Afghan society more than its treatment of women.  For many Afghans, nothing represents the perils of encroaching westernization more than the movement for women’s rights”  (Levi).

Some of the largest issues that confront women around the world of literacy, education, jobs and health.  These also apply to men, but not for women the right to pursue these things.  The question of citizenship rights still remains an area for clarification.  In regard to women’s rights.  A large number of immigrants do not have birth certificates, and as such applications for citizenship but refused.  As such these people are unable to get jobs, healthcare, welfare and other social benefits.  Because of not having citizenship, they do not come under any formal protection from the government.  Although a lot of these problems are more serious in places like Africa and the Middle East.  Nevertheless, there is an argument that suggests immigration rule needs reformation in America.

Owing to the increased move towards globalization and international cooperation, within his rights are a barometer to understanding what progress is being made.  Many people cite Islam and outmoded religious concepts as being the root cause of the problem.  Reality however, suggests otherwise, for example: 161 countries ratifying the UN treaty, condemning discrimination against women, however 44 countries have stated that they will not abide by such a convention.  Some of the countries not supporting the UN convention included that of Australia, Canada, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, India, New Zealand and the Netherlands.

Works Cited

Women in Islam: Muslim Women. Women in Islam: Muslim Women. 2009. 11 2 2010 <http://www.uga.edu/islam/Islamwomen.html>.

Levi, Scott. The Long, Long Struggle for Women’s Rights in Afghanistan. 9 2009. 11 2 2010 <http://ehistory.osu.edu/osu/origins/article.cfm?articleid=30&articlepage=2&altcontent=no>.

Medic, Bill. Iron Jawed Angels: Today’s yesterday. 2009. 10 2 2010 <http://www.proyouthpages.com/ironjaw.html>.

Simpkin, John. Spartacus Educational. 2010. 9 2 2010 <http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAsuffrage.htm>.