Throughout history, women have always aimed for a recognized place in society. Guided by their own field of knowledge and expertise, women like Marie Curie in science, Mary Wollstonecraft in literary writing, Simone de Beauvois in philosophical existentialist debate, and Marie Stopes , in medicine, to name a few, have brought about an awareness of the role of women in any walks of life.
The Marxist orientated Feminist movement of the 60' and 70's, unfashionable as it may be today in some quarters, have nonetheless forced the issue of women's rights to come into people's awareness. These front runners have helped redefine and consolidate the nature of women's place in society. Today the spread of global women's organizations and the impact of women's contributions to society shows that progress has been made, or has it? Because this subject crosses many disciplines and studies, this enquiry will be only on a broad basis.It will consider whether progress in furthering the role of women in society has been of some benefit to the individual woman. Theories of progress may be enshrined in new laws but are only valid if they are experienced in the life of people, and more precisely in the life of women. Having been part of a movement in one form or another, I have come to the question if any claim of progress is related to the need of the individual woman.
It is true to say that not all women have the same need.The need of the woman who stay at home, raising children will differ widely from the high flyer minded careerist. Nonetheless, in the extensive field of equal opportunities, (employment, to name one), it would be good to know that access is given to both on equal measure according to the true value of respective abilities. It also would be good to know that the woman at home is recognised as a valued member of society just as much as the one who deals on the stock market.
