Feminism eadarkoh

introduction Feminism is aimed at: asserting independence of women, Promoting gender balance, Promoting gender equality, Enhancing the participation of women in decision making, Promoting the general interest of women. eadarkoh

Feminism Explained Feminism is a collection of movements and ideologies aimed at defining, establishing, and defending equal socio-economic and political rights of women (Chodorow, 1989). Feminism also includes seeking to establish equal opportunities for women in the following: Education, Employment, Politics Decision making etc. eadarkoh

Feminism Explained (cont’d) Feminism also advocates support for the rights and equality of women. The theories which emerged from these feminist movements aimed at understanding the nature of gender inequality. It also developed theories in a variety of disciplines to respond to issues such as the social construction of sex and gender ( Mead, 2001). Feminism is a very active social movement and it has facilitated a lot of change and continue to reflect the independence of women in a male dominated society. eadarkoh

Feminism Explained (cont’d) Radical feminists even contend that the liberation of women could transform the world. This vision is based on experiences of women and the limitations placed on them by society in their search for equal rights with the male counterparts especially in the area of franchise. J. S. Mill argued that if a society is able to promote equal right and opportunity among males and females, it will be in a good position to harness the full potentials of its human resources. J. S. Mill lays emphasis on education, employment and marriage as areas where attention must be focused if indeed the society is interested in empowering women. He also advocated franchise for women in Britain. eadarkoh

Feminism Explained (cont’d) Sex-roles vary from society to society and cultures to cultures.( what may be proper gender role in one society may be considered improper in another society). In the view of Mead (2001), all societies react to the biological differences between men and women by elaborating the dichotomy of male and female on their biological differences. We have so many gender stereotypes in the world. eadarkoh

Feminism Explained (cont’d) Childbearing and lactation are the reproductive roles of women. The reproduction roles differentiate men from women. Values of nurturing, servicing (innate ability to serve), and subordination to the needs of others are normally identified with women. Values of competition, self-assertion, and achievements are normally associated with men. eadarkoh

Feminism Explained (cont’d) It is the view of feminists that all the attributes which the society sees as peculiar to men should not be different from those of women: i.e. women can be assertive, competitive and achievement oriented etc. The feminists argue that gender roles were constructed by society and can be changed. Radical feminists have argued for the substitution of terms such as Power and Domination for Achievements and Superiority. Women suffer unequal rights and their roles are restricted in terms of subordination, powerlessness, and oppression. The above situation made the statement “the personal is political” a very important one in the feminist discourse. eadarkoh

Feminism Political Thought Feminism calls for a serious appraisal of the whole system of what is considers political ideas backed by the corresponding theory of knowledge. They have sought to bring feminism ideas to bear on social contract theory, citizenship and politics. It criticizes liberal democracy and its gendered concept on citizenship on the grounds that it is universal but has limited applicability. The discussion of citizenship is rooted in the public sphere which predicated on the role of the male gender. Women are mostly identified with the private or domestic sphere making it very difficult for women to be considered as equal citizens (Mackinnon, 1987). eadarkoh

Feminism Political Thought (cont’d) According to Pateman (1988), the social contract theory, in spite of the emphasis on universalism, individualism, an the consent of the rule, exclude women from citizenship . Liberal political theorists either tacitly assumed that women were naturally subject to men or they were by marriage contracted to a subordinate non-civic role and hence were not regarded as citizens. Most rights fall within the domain of men because they are educated, something most women lack. Even if rights are universal, situations and cultural identities and resources among individuals will make men enjoy them more than women. Some have even argued that gender neutral law is fallacious. Feminists have therefore suggested that all these challenges must be resolved in favour of women-friendly conception of citizenship and education for all. eadarkoh

Positive developments Programmes that train and educate women as well as encourage them to participate in politics. The role of NGOs is very prominent in the developing world. Women are now regarded as citizens and they are recognized beyond the kitchen. In most countries of the world women have the right to vote and to be voted for. Ghana has whole ministry devoted to women, children and social protection. Ministry of Women and Children Affairs -2001 Gender, Children and Social Protection- 2013 The Ghana Police Service has a unit that deals with Domestic Violence.(WAJU now DOVVSU). The Domestic Violence Act of Ghana is very critical in dealing with violence in the home. Most men are beginning to change their perception about women especially in the developing world. eadarkoh

Challenges Women are still under-represented in several layers of decision making in the developing world. There exist a cultural perception that women must continue to exist in the domestic setting. Poverty and illiteracy still exist among many women. Self-confidence is low among some women, These challenges still confront women and feminists must step up their advocacy. eadarkoh

The Personal is Political The phrase “personal is political” was coined to deal with the confinement of women in the private sphere and limit their role in politics and decision making to the kitchen. There was a distinction between public and private spheres of life. Women were normally placed in the private sphere. All valued non-nurturing activities were reserved for the public sphere. The implication was that women were normally excluded because of their domestic responsibilities and lack of public skills. eadarkoh

The Personal is Political (cont’d) The major aim of feminists was to gain access to the public sphere on the same terms as men. The desire was to overcome the discriminatory practices that marginalizes women and make them subservient to men. Others have called for the communalization of domestic responsibilities. (Sharing of household chores) Men for instances are asked to play critical roles in raising and taking care of children, the home and the kitchen. Feminists were determined to overcome the barriers to effective participation in politics and public life. eadarkoh

The Personal is Political (cont’d) Feminists were interested in reshaping society and to locate, socio-economic, cultural and politics in a non-patriarchal form. It is against this background that we approach the statement “the personal is political”. This expression simply means the conduct of politics is found in all the decisions that shape our daily lives including decisions taking in the kitchen. They contend that politics should not be restricted to the public realm. Politics should not only be considered a public affairs. eadarkoh

The Personal is Political (cont’d) Women should not necessarily struggle and join men in the public sphere where they will be marginalized. The phrase also means that the most intimate of relationships between a man and a woman reflects the conditions in the larger society to which they all belong. Feminists advocate strongly that the personal is political. The leading light in this campaign is Adrian Leftwich, who sought to challenge the narrow conception of what is political especially as it relates to the public sphere. Do you share the view that “the personal is political” and therefore politics must not be restricted to the activities in the public domain? eadarkoh