Introduction
Each year, on march 8th , the media speak about women's condition insofar as it is « The International Women's day », a kindly initiative in a world where they represent the half of the population. Nowadays, women are still discriminated against : inequalities at work or domestic violence are for instance still common.
I'm going to present you the reality of current women's condition in France and in Europe (II) after having recalled some historical facts about women's condition (I) . Then, I will give you some examples of French and European organizations fighting for women's rights (III). Finally, I 'm going to formulate my own opinion (IV).
I. History of feminism
During the 19th century, women's condition was so bad that some women began to fight for their rights.
First of all, the religion's influence was significant
Indeed, religion had an important effect on people's life at that time. Men lived in the public sphere: professional work, city's life... and women in the private one : housework, family's life. In fact, the woman was only made in order to have children and take care of them like Eve's daughters were.
With the Napoleon's Code women were under age for the life
In 1804, The Civil code declared that women were unable to do many things the men could do. The article n° 213 said : “The woman must obey her husband”. Women were only defined in comparison with her husband. They couldn't divorce. Consequently, women were totally excluded from public life, and under age for life, during more than one century.
[...] Only of men employees earn it. Europe. March 8th is an important day, called “Women's by the United Nations. However, women are segregated against and none of European Union's countries are exempt from this rule ! All over our continent, women aren't considered as the men's equal. Fortunately, as in France, the activity rate is rising all over Europe even though in Eastern Europe, it increases slowlier. The situation is almost similar to France : about of part-time posts are occupied by women in Europe. [...]
[...] Even if this law had improved women's condition at work, a lot of inequalities subsist: inequalities of wages, of power, disparities at work and in unemployment rates. A. Disparity in front of employment The job fields are an important factor of equality between sexes. The accession for girls to high levels of education contributes to reduce differences at the beginning of the working life. Yet, after their studies, girls face harder conditions of access for employment than boys. Women are indeed discriminated against because of their sex ! [...]
[...] On the other hand, women are sexy and free (Dim's advertising). Two examples In politics In 1991, Edith Cresson became the first woman prime minister. In 2000 : The law on the parity is voted. Parties have to present as many women as men. The impact is visible with regional elections ( (forty seven) of women elected) and with European elections in 2004 ( (forty three) of French elected were women) but the result with general elections, which are more important, is very slight : 12% (twelve) women elected in France against 43% (forty three) in Sweden and 31% (thirty one) in Germany. [...]
[...] conditions in the complaint books. The French revolution marked the beginning of women's emancipation movement. Some women are very important in the history of the fight against inequalities between men and women : Olympe de Gouges (1748-1793) She wrote in 1791 (seventeen ninety one) the famous Declaration of woman and citizen‘s rights. She fought against slavery, the death penalty, or in favour of the orphans . She was one of the first who proposed some ideas in favour of democracy. [...]
[...] The association denounces all oppressions and discrimination's forms made to women. In Europe : Equal Equal is a European plan of action which helps women who want to create a firm. It aims at reducing all discriminations and created a program called “Entreprendre au féminin”. Its goal is to transform differences into qualities. IV. My opinion Speaking about women difficulties is a good thing even if it's only once a year : for the women's day (march 8th) . But , What does it mean ? [...]
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