So, you’ve clicked on this post because you consider yourself a feminist—or maybe you’re against feminism? Or perhaps you’re not even sure what feminism really is? Whatever your stance, let’s take a moment to clear up any misconceptions and explore what feminism truly means.
What is Feminism ?
"Feminism" is a range of socio-political movements and ideologies that aim to define and establish the political, economic, personal, and social equality of the sexes.
It’s important to note that feminism does not promote the idea that women are superior to men. Rather, it seeks to ensure that everyone—regardless of gender—has equal opportunities and rights, including:
the right to vote
run for public office
work
earn equal pay
own property
receive education
enter into contracts
have equal rights within marriage
maternity leave
It also aims to ensure access to contraception, legal abortions, and social integration; and to protect women and girls from sexual assault, sexual harassment, and domestic violence.
Now that we’ve established what feminism really is, let’s dive into how it all began and how we’ve arrived at where we are today.
The First Wave:
The first wave of feminism emerged in the late 18th century when women began advocating for social, economic, political, and legal opportunities—such as the right to vote, own property, and access education.
At the time, women’s legal existence was, quite literally, suppressed. This is evident in Commentaries on the Laws of England, which stated:
"By marriage, the husband and wife are one person in law: that is, the very being or legal existence of the woman is suspended during the marriage, or at least is incorporated and consolidated into that of the husband."
Literally, women were not recognized as legal individuals. They couldn’t go to court, enter into contracts, or file for divorce. Without financial independence, property rights, or access to education, women were entirely dependent on men.
A turning point came in 1792, when Mary Wollstonecraft published her groundbreaking work, "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman". In this book—often regarded as the starting point of the first wave—Wollstonecraft argued that class and private property were key sources of women’s oppression. She emphasized that women, just like men, deserved equal rights.
The cornerstone of this movement became the fight for the right to vote, which is why the first wave of feminism is often referred to as the Women’s Suffrage Movement.
The Second Wave:
The second wave of feminism emerged in the late 20th century, following the societal shifts brought about by the two World Wars. During these wars, women contributed significantly by working behind the army. However, after the wars ended, they were expected to return to their homes to focus on domestic responsibilities: raising children, managing households, and catering to their husbands. Despite these constraints, women who had experienced the workforce during wartime realized their potential and sought greater autonomy over their lives.
Second wave of feminism focuses on adressing gender discrimination that is embedded in daily life. The slogan "Personal is Political", coined by feminist activist and author Carol Hanisch, can be considered synonymus with this wave, highlighting how personal experiences of inequality reflected broader systemic issues.
A cornerstone of the second wave was the influential work of French philosopher Simone de Beauvoir. Her groundbreaking book, The Second Sex (1949), examined the social construction of gender. De Beauvoir argued that men were regarded as the default standard of humanity, while women were defined only in relation to men. She highlighted how societal norms restricted women, preventing them from discovering and achieving their full potential.
"Humanity is male and man defines woman not in herself but as relative to him." -Simone Beauvoir
"One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman." -Simone Beauvoir
Another important work of the second wave was The Feminine Mystique (1963) by Betty Friedan. This book resonated deeply with everyday women, mothers, and housewives.
It exposed the dissatisfaction many women felt while confined to domestic roles and social gender norms.
Second-wave feminists sought to dismantle the systemic sexism in both public and private spheres. Unlike the suffragists of the 19th century, who focused on gaining voting rights for woman, these feminists addressed issues such as reproductive rights, domestic violence, workplace harassment, and sexual assault.
One significant milestone of the second wave was the approval of the contraceptive pill, which gave women control over their reproductive choices. Before the pill and the legalization of abortion (in many countries during the 1980s), women were often forced to bear children as a result of their husbands’ sexual desires, limiting their autonomy and life choices.
The Third Wave:
A significant issue with the first two waves of feminism was their exclusivity. The leaders of these movements were upper-middle-class white women. The women of different races, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds were not being included, and this lack of inclusivity left many women feeling excluded from the fight for equal rights.
In response to this issue, the third wave of feminism emerged in the mid-1990s with a focus on intersectionality—addressing the challenges faced by women and girls of all races, classes, and cultural backgrounds. This wave aimed to create a more inclusive feminist movement that recognized diversity.
The third wave also sought to challenge and redefine traditional stereotypes of women. Rejecting images of women as either passive, weak, and submissive or as domineering, slutty, and emasculating, this wave embraced a broader, more nuanced understanding of femininity. Women and girls were reimagined as assertive, empowered, and in full control of their own identities and sexuality.
In popular culture, this redefinition gave rise to powerful female icons who embodied confidence and independence. Singers like Madonna, Queen Latifah, and Mary J. Blige became symbols of empowerment, using their art to empower women's freedom.
Children's media also began to reflect this shift, with a growing emphasis on smart, capable, and independent female characters. Disney heroines such as Mulan (Mulan, 1998) and Helen Parr (Elastigirl) and her daughter Violet (The Incredibles, 2004) showcased women who could balance strength, intelligence, and compassion. Television followed suit with characters like Dora (Dora the Explorer, 2000–2014, 2019), Carly and Sam (iCarly, 2007–2012), and Sesame Street’s first female lead, Abby Cadabby, who debuted in 2006.
To sum up, the third wave of feminism broke down traditional barriers and embraced a more inclusive, intersectional approach. By expanding the definition of woman and promoting diversity in activism and popular culture, this wave enabled the new generation of women and girls to see themselves as capable, as independent, and as powerful individuals as men, regardless of their background.
The Fourth Wave:
While there is some debate about whether we should officially recognize a fourth wave of feminism, many historians point to the rise of technology and social media as the hallmark of a new era. Starting in the 2010s, this wave focuses on issues such as sexual abuse, sexual harassment, sexual violence, the objectification of women, and workplace sexism. A defining characteristic of the fourth wave is internet activism, which has significantly increased the reach and impact of feminist movements.
The fourth wave also broadens its focus to include the LGBTQ+ community, challenging traditional gender roles for men and women. It emphasizes that gender norms are not only oppressive but also harmful to everyone, regardless of gender.
Women's March, which took place on January 21, 2017, is a significant example of fourth-wave activism. Sparked by Donald Trump’s inflammatory remarks about women, a grandmother proposed a march on Washington, D.C., via Facebook. Her idea quickly gained traction and turned into a worldwide call for gender equality and social change. Known as the Women’s March, it became the largest single-day protest in U.S. history, with approximately 4.6 million participants across the country.
Another important moment of this wave was the rise of the #MeToo movement in 2017, which originated in the United States and quickly spread worldwide. Initially founded by activist Tarana Burke in 2006, the movement gained global attention when it got popular as a hashtag on social media. Women who had experienced sexual abuse and harassment shared their stories by posting “#MeToo,” talking about the issues that were always silenced before. It encouraged woman to talk about their abuses and know that they are not alone. Even famous Hollywood actresses like Jennifer Lawrence and Uma Thurman came forward with their stories, further increasing the movement's impact.
The fourth wave also emphasizes the need for everyone —women, men, and people of all genders— to step in and take action to achieve equality. Famous actress and activist, Emma Watson, gave a speech in 2014, launching the HeForShe campaign for UN Women. In this speech, she points out that "men don't have the benefits of equality either." She gives examples from her own life where she has noticed this, including seeing her "father's role as a parent being valued less by society," and witnessing her male friends struggle to express their emotions. The campaign HeForShe's aim is to invite men and people of all genders to stand in solidarity with women, in order to achieve gender equality for everyone.
Here is the link of Emma Watson's speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkjW9PZBRfk
Apart from all of the progress feminism has made in advancing gender equality, we still have a long way to go. Issues such as rape, harrasment, abortion, equal pay, and so many other still remain as significant challenges that need to be solved in our modern world. And, the only way we can solve this challange is by women, men and people of all genders, embracing one another and taking action to create change.
"If not me, who? If not now, when?" -Emma Watson