Feminism. Defined in the Cambridge Dictionary as ‘the belief that women should be allowed the same rights, power, and opportunities as men and be treated in the same way.’ Can we say this is true in 2023?

 

To begin with, where can we first see the inequality of men and women? Dating back to the Bible, Adam and Eve (of course !) In the Garden Of Eden, off of the Tree of Knowledge, Eve ate the forbidden fruit. Eve gave in to the temptation from the Devil. Eve persuaded Adam to eat the fruit. Eve caused eternal sin. So, surely this justifies the inequality women have faced in society. Right?

 

Over the past century, we have witnessed equality flourish, hopeful change comeforth. In 1918, the Representation of the People Act allowed women aged over 30, with certain property qualifications to vote in the UK- enfranchising 8.5 million women. Further, in 1928, the Equal Franchise Act eventually granted all women over 21 the right to vote, equal to the voting rights of men and extending the number of women allowed to vote to 15 million.

 

 Only, our 2023 society has so far not foreseen equality for all sexes.

 

2022 faced the overturning of Roe v Wade in the US, depriving women the fundamental right to have an abortion up to 24 weeks into a pregnancy. Consequently, most abortions are now banned in 13 states, including Texas and Mississippi, according to The New York Times. With the overturning nearly 50 years after the establishment of this right, President Joe Biden stated this ruling was a ‘tragic error.’ Biden further stated that essential rights, such as same-sex marriage, were also now in jeoparady. 

 

Until 8th December 2016 after the election of Dr Caroline Johnson in the Sleaford and North Hykeham by-election as the 455th female MP, the number of female MPs ever in the House of Commons was fewer than the number of men in the Commons at any one time.

 

Currently, 224 of the 650 seats in the House Of Commons are held by female MPs- compared to 220 seats in the wake of the 2019 General Election- a slight improvement. 

 

Changes have been introduced, positive and negative. Equality for all is on the horizon. Even so, women are still withstanding inequality, illustrated in two cases out of so many potential examples. We must change, society must change.