Declaration of the Rights of Women and the Female Citizen

Declaration of the Rights of Women and the Female Citizen

HUM 112

Declaration of the Rights of Women and the Female Citizen

The fight for women’s rights is a battle which continues to adhere its challenges such as equal pay, legal justice and so on. Even though the battle continues, there were some women pioneers know impacted the social change in society and pave the way for equality for the generations to come. Marie Gouze, also known by her writer signature as Olympe de Gouges, conducted plays and created literature on nonconverted topics such as slavery, social injustice and other controversial issues. In 1791, Marie wrote the Declaration of Rights of Women to discuss about the unfair treatment of women, stating according to Olympe de Gouges, The Declaration of the Rights of Woman (September 1791), “in her postscript she denounced the customary treatment of women as objects easily abandoned. (page 1)” Although Marie protest was ethical and nonviolence like other protesters who expressed for change, she was convicted to death due to her views. Marie writing style and message reached a massive audience even caught to attention of Queen Marie Antoinette. Her impact was influential, everyone (including me) can learn from her courage (Olympe de Gouges, The Declaration of the Rights of Woman, September 1791),

Author’s Key Views

The main idea of the Declaration of the Rights of Women and female citizen (1971), was to express unfair and injustice rights for women and on the suggestions to correct these wrongs to make it fair for both genders. Some of the issues which Marie displayed in the document was women treated like property, lack in ownership, government does not protect women civil rights, lack in protection of liberty rights, inequality compensation, and other unequal treatment. Although she listed numerous of the main inequality objectives, Marie also added methods to make the balance between man and women fair such as; splitting ownership of property, granting equal civil rights (therefore a woman can possess freedom of speech or have the right to a fair trial). Maria also proposed for women to contribute to paying taxes and women should be free and not dictated by any man. This also make men become more accountable for their actions (Olympe de Gouges, The Declaration of the Rights of Woman, September 1791),

Author’s Strategy and Effectiveness

Marie was an activist with a purpose, she voiced on change and ethicalness. The target audience was prominently for the voice of women, however it was imperial for all to read and understand the urgency of this issue. The “Declaration of The Rights of Woman and The Female Citizen (1791)” (n.d.) website, her pamphlet made great headway, which led to other women advocates to recreate the declaration of women right. For example, French revolutionary author Mary Wollstonecraft created and published the Vindication of the Rights of Women and writing about the lack of rights became more available. Marie protest spoke in ranged and gave other females the courage to voice their views on the inequality. She according to “Declaration of The Rights of Woman and The Female Citizen (1791)”(n.d.), “an argued, developed, politically organized feminism that conquered a narrow but real enclave in the public sphere was forged for the first time in human history” (para 2).

Conclusion

The French Revolutionary was the turning point for women rights, which led to the initial women right’s movement. The idea of liberal freedom for women was not relevant for a very long time. Until a French feminist, activist (Marie Gouze) adhere the bravery to revoke against silence of command and to take action. Due to her vigilance and independent thinking, she was able to break through the dominate male’s barrier and allow the process for women equality to developed. Which led to other feminist activist to press the issue more which spread and continue through time, this cause resulted in change in judicial, legislative, and society standards. These are the reasons why my daughter can grow up to become whatever she inspired to become, she has the opportunity and freedom to pursue her life, however she desired to. The fight for inequality still continues currently such as equal pay in the workforce. However as long there are feminist like Marie Gouze, the protest will still continue, and the resolution will prosper.

References:

“Olympe de Gouges, The Declaration of the Rights of Woman (September 1791),” Liberty, Equality, Fraternity, accessed April 16, 2019, http://chnm.gmu.edu/revolution/d/293.

Declaration of the Rights of Woman and the Female Citizen (1791) (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.religiousleftlaw.com/2018/09/declaration-of-the-rights-of-woman-and-the-female-citizen-1791.html