Equality

Equality

The word equality ' like democracy has multiple meanings , or more accurately multiples interpretations . The word however was always associated with democracy , for democracy literally mans rule of the people , that is , opportunities for holding political office and economic resources are designed to be equal . Although the term equality had been used by many ancient and medieval philosophers to emphasize the role of the economy in bringing happiness ' to the society , the term had acquired its modern meaning during the French Revolution . In fact equality was one of the pillars of

the French Revolution it was the emblem of the Middle class in the struggle for economic freedom . After the French Revolution , the term had acquired several meanings . Some of them are as follows : 1 ) equality as a liberalizing force of women , 2 equality as equality of opportunities , 3 ) equality the capability of human beings to carry out its natural function , and 4 ) equality as the foundation of a communist society . It can be noted that these meanings ' of equality are but senses for equality has no definite or structured meaning . Equality is seen by women as a liberalizing force from the net ' of a patriarchal society . It should be noted that women during the 18th century are restricted to household work . Because of the call of some women activists in the 19th century , notably Susan B Anthony , legislations to expand women 's role in the society had been instituted . Jobs which previously had been held by men were now opened to women . Nevertheless , women were able to acquire properties that could be disposed with or without the consent of their husbands . Suffrage which was limited to propertied men , was opened to women . Women could now vote for the politicians they desired to occupy office . In the beginning of the 20th century , women were able to capture some of the seats in the US House of Representatives (and consequently in the US Senate . This trend had been marked in the rich countries . Britain was able to pass the new suffrage bill , which abolished voting restrictions like gender and property . Canada made an earlier suffrage bill which allowed women to vote and hold political office , as determined by the country 's constitution . In France , many of the civil servants of the government were women the French assembly was opened to women Although equality of gender had been achieved in many of the First World countries , women are still oppressed in many of the Third World and Islamic countries (Firestone 1 . Because of the commitment of the various governments of these countries to economic development , women 's development is neglected , putting women in the margins of society Hence , in Third World countries (and Islamic countries , equality of gender has not been achieved

The fight for gender equality however was marked with disastrous campaigns , especially for women 's movement in the Middle East and North Africa . In Libya , for example , to avoid the rise of women 's movement as a political force , the government banned public demonstrations . In such case , not only the rights of women restricted but overall civil liberties (Women of the Modern era http /dwc .hct .ac .ae /lrc /arab 20women /modern_arab_women_occupation_all .h tm

In the United States , because of the distate of the women sector over the growing unemployment of women in the United States , women movements took differing stance . Some women movements argued that men and women should be treated as equals in the workplace , represented by an equal distribution of income between the two genders (Freeman 1 . Some would argue that true female liberation rests on the propinquity of women to be separated bioloically with the patriarchal society , of which they were considered a second hand ' Overall equality of gender has been partially achieved in First World countries , although with some variations . In Third World countries , the fight for gender equality has just begun

Works Cited

--------- Women of the Modern Era . URL . HYPERLINK "http /dwc .hct .ac .ae /lrc /arab 20women /modern_arab_women_occupation_all htm http /dwc .hct .ac .ae /lrc /arab 20women /modern_arab_women_occupation_all .h tm . Retrieved August 8 , 2007

Firestone , Shulamith . The Women 's Rights Movement in the US : A New View Speech at Free University in New York City , February 17 , 1968 . URL HYPERLINK "http /scriptorium .lib .duke .edu /wlm /notes http /scriptorium .lib .duke .edu /wlm /notes . Retrieved August 8 , 2007

Freeman , Jo . The Women 's Liberation Movement : Its Origin , Structures and Ideals . Pittsburgh : Know , Inc , c .1971

Page PAGE \ MERGEFORMAT 3 ...