Zusammenfassung der Ressource
Feminism no longer
has any relevance in
21st century politics.
- Yes - 20th century decade of feminism. In
1918 the Parliament (Qualification of
Women) Act was passed, giving women
suffrage and in the same year Constance
Markievicz became the first female MP. 61
years later Britain had it's first female MP
in the form of Margaret Thatcher.
- By the 21st century, women's equality had come a long
way. In 1997 New Labour's 'All-Women Shortlists'
resulted in 101 female MP's being elected in 1998.
- HOWEVER Anne Widdecombe, a woman who
describes herself as "a feminist in the 1970's
sense" criticises All-Women Shortlists, stating
women who faught for women's equality
"wanted equal opportunities not special
privileges"
- Following the 2015 general election, 1/3 of
David Cameron's government were
women. In total 191 female MPs were
elected - the most it has ever had.
- HOWEVER still culture of sexism within politics. For example Labour MP
Angela Eagle was famously put down in the House of Commons by
David Cameron when he told her to "Calm down, dear".
- Labour Deputy Leader Harriet Harman
said "Women in Britain in the 21st
century do not expect to be told to 'calm
down, dear' by the Prime Minister".
- UKIP MEP Godfrey Bloom called a room
of female journalists 'sluts' in 2013. He
also confessed to going to brothels in
Hong Kong and said "in short, most girls
do it because they like it".
- No - Over 400,000 women are sexually assaulted in the UK each year.
Radical feminist Andrea Dworkin said "As long as there is rape...there is not
going to be any peace or justice or equality or freedom". From 2012 and
2013, 1.2 million women suffered from domestic abuse.
- Carol Hinisch popularized the phrase
"the personal is political" meaning it's
politicians responsibility to delve into the
private sphere, such as the family.
- HOWEVER in the 2015 general election
domestic abuse was a huge political agenda.
The Conservatives promised to prioritise
tackling violence against women and girls,
whilst Labour promised to publish a
'Violence Against Women and Girls' Bill as
well as provide more stable, cental funding
for women's refuge's and Rape Crisis
Centre's.
- Female genital mutilation is also a problem in
the UK. Approximately 66,000 girls in the UK
have suffered the consequences of it with a
further 20,000 at the risk of being circumcised.
- In February 2014, the UK
government declared it's
commitment to "preventing and
ending this extremely harmful form
of violence".
- Difference feminists would also argue that women in other parts of the world
are still denied the kind of rights now taken for granted in the Western world.
- For example, statistics may vary across the
mainstream media, but it is believed that
between 1,000 and 7,000 Yazadi women have
been abducted by ISIL and being sold as sex
slaves.
- HOWEVER British government is committed
to ending this. The UK are part of a coalition
consisting of 60 other countries. It is also
providing £59.5 million in humanitarian aid to
refugee's fleeing ISIL. David Cameron also
joined in the 'Bring Back our Girls' Campaign.
- William Hague, the Prime Minisiters Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, has been working with Angelina
Jolie to end violence against women setting up a new Centre for Women, Peace and Security in early 2015.