by Chelsea Geach

In the 1960s, Feminist movements swept the world claiming equality for both sexes. Slogans such as “equal work, equal pay” demanded equal employment rights for women, while bra-burning and chants of “the personal is political” pushed for respect in the home and the right to birth control and abortion.

While these movements were desperately needed in the 60s and 70s, I believe they achieved their aim and have outlived their usefulness. Women in contemporary Western society have equal political, social, cultural and legal rights – so why the need for ongoing radical Feminism?

It can be argued that gender inequality still exists in the world today, a favourite example being the conservative religious culture of the Middle East, in which women are expected to conceal their skin at all times and obey their husband’s orders. I would like to argue that British women were subjugated in a similar way prior to the suffragette movement of the late 19th century. However, they did not suffer in silence, but used the means allowed to them to fight for and eventually claim their right to legal equality.

It is not the place of the Western world to judge that Islamic or Arabic women are victims of gender discrimination or feel inferior in their societal roles. If these women do in fact feel outraged and frustrated by their position, they are perfectly able to organize their own protests and campaign for their own rights. The notion that it is our responsibility to ‘free’ them is in itself discriminatory and condescending.

I believe women are hiding behind the guise of gender inequality. It functions as an excuse for every woman who is not successful in the workplace or who feels cheated out of opportunities in life. Women of the 21st century, the law has granted you your rights – only you can put them into practice!