Feminism: Overview

Feminism emerged as a response to the long-standing consequences of women being considered inferior to men and the oppression by the structures and rules created by men and the larger society. The definition of feminism has been varied and contested across history. In general, it has been described as a political, social, cultural, economic, [Page 549]and educational movement to establish equal rights and legal protections for women. Its ideologies and theories are concerned with differences based on sex and gender and the inequalities and inequities due to these differences, including but not limited to issues such as family roles, sexual harassment and assault, violence against women, human trafficking, exploitation, equal pay, employment opportunities, equality in the workplace, education, child care, contraception, abortion, prostitution, and equal ...