women’s movement

women’s movement
   The name given to those women who campaign for more rights for women, in areas such as childcare, pay levels, the workplace and parliamentary representation. The movement is not formally organised with a known national leadership. Much of its activity is conducted through local groups, sometimes highly factionalised. Some is carried out via pressure groups (particularly the trades unions) and political parties.
   Among campaigning individuals and groups, there are differences over goals and tactics, some women being primarily concerned with a single issue such as abortion rights, childcare or equal pay, others with the denial of fair treatment over a range of social issues. Some adopt a ‘moderate’, reformist approach, working by education and persuasion to achieve helpful legislation such as the Equal Pay (1970) and Sex Discrimination (1975) Acts. Others are ‘radicals’ who note the continuing differences in pay rates and point to a range of present inequalities such as under-representation in high positions in commerce, politics and the judiciary, as well as exploitation – including male violence – in the home. A few are prepared to be more militant, such as the Greenham Common anti-Cruise weapons protesters of the 1980s and 90s.
   Abortion is a controversial and divisive issue within the women’s movement. Whereas many feminists strongly argue for the ‘woman’s right to choose’, other women – especially Roman Catholics and evangelicals – place great emphasis on the ‘right to life’.

Glossary of UK Government and Politics . 2013.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • women's movement — n. a movement or campaign to achieve WOMEN S RIGHTS, specif., the widespread movement begun in the mid 20th cent. chiefly in North America and Europe * * * Diverse social movement, largely based in the U.S., seeking equal rights and opportunities …   Universalium

  • women's movement — women s .movement n the women s movement all the women who are involved in the aim of improving the social, economic, and political position of women and of ending sexual ↑discrimination …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • women's movement — n. a movement or campaign to achieve WOMEN S RIGHTS, specif., the widespread movement begun in the mid 20th cent. chiefly in North America and Europe …   English World dictionary

  • women's movement — noun (also with caps) the movement amongst women to try to achieve equality with men, with regard to eg job opportunities, pay, legal status, etc • • • Main Entry: ↑woman …   Useful english dictionary

  • women's movement — noun the women s movement all the women who are involved in the aim of improving the social, economic, and political position of women and of ending sexual discrimination (1) …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • women's movement — N SING: usu the N You use the women s movement to refer to groups of people and organizations that believe that women should have the same rights and opportunities in society as men …   English dictionary

  • women's movement, the — women s ,movement, the noun all the women who are working together to make sure that women have the same rights and opportunities as men …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • women's movement — This term refers to the mobilization of women around the project of changing and improving their position in society. It is often used interchangeably with ‘Women s Liberation Movement’ to describe the second wave of feminism from the 1970s… …   Dictionary of sociology

  • women's movement — /ˈwɪmənz muvmənt/ (say wimuhnz moohvmuhnt) noun the movement which seeks to free women from sexist discrimination and make available to them the opportunity to play any role in society they choose. Also, women s liberation …  

  • women's movement — noun a broad movement campaigning for women s liberation and rights …   English new terms dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”