Welcome to Women's Issues Week!

Peace Action Canisius
Oct 14, 2018
2 min read

Updated: Oct 16, 2018

Sydney Bichsel

What are Women’s Issues?

Women’s Issues today have come a long way from the struggles of women in the past. While many countries across the globe have taken great strides towards the equality of women, there are still many issues that are pressing today. Whether it be access to education, political representation, conflicts involving sexual assault and harassment, or the continuing struggle for gender equality, women’s issues are still a hugely important and notable issue facing society as a whole. The basis of women’s issues comes down to the equality of women’s political, social and economic status in the world.

What is the history?

Women’s rights and issues were first notably brought into light by the publication A Vindication of the Rights of Women by Mary Wollstonecraft in 1792. While women had been oppressed centuries prior to this publication, Wollstoncraft’s essay was the start of women beginning to voice their own concerns explicitly. It wasn’t until nearly one hundred years later, in 1848 when the Seneca Falls Convention took place in New York where 300 men and women came together to sign the landmark Declaration of Sentiments, a petition for the end of discrimination against women.

While Supreme Court cases and Constitution ratifications had been hinting at the total legality of women being allowed to vote, it wasn’t until August of 1920 where the 19th Amendment to the Constitution is finally ratified to state: “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.”

Further steps are taken in 1963 with the passing of the Equal Pay Act, guaranteeing equal compensation for all peoples regardless “of the race, color, religion, national origin or sex of the worker”.

For a full history, including Supreme Court cases and an in-depth look at historic landmarks achieved by women, click here.

Why is it important?

Starting from a place where women legally were not considered people, the women’s rights movement has come a long way. Today, however, women are still facing huge social disparities and dangers. Women’s rights in the workplace, whether it be equal pay, safety from harassment, access to traditionally male fields and leadership positions, and even pregnancy and parenting discrimination, there is a long road ahead before the women’s rights movement in this country alone can be considered finished. In order to fully understand what women face in today’s society and why this issue still matters, check out Alive: A Collection of Experiences Documenting the Female Existence.

What can you do about it?

Be loud. Voice your discomfort, speak out if something is not right or makes you uncomfortable. Use your voice to make others aware of your experiences.
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