Women's Liberation and Feminist Movements (Grade 12 NSC Matric History): Revision Notes

Women's Liberation and Feminist Movements

Introduction

The women's liberation and feminist movements of the 1960s and 1970s emerged as powerful forces for change across the world. While these movements shared the common goal of achieving freedom and equality for women, they developed in different ways depending on the specific social, political, and economic contexts of each country. Understanding these movements helps us see how women organised to challenge discrimination and fight for their rights during this transformative period.

United States of America

Formation and early development

The Women's Liberation Movement (WLM) took shape during the 1960s and gained particular strength among university students. These young women had been influenced by their participation in civil rights movements and their opposition to the Vietnam War, which helped radicalise their thinking about social justice and equality.

However, many older women also became involved because they remained frustrated with ongoing workplace discrimination, even within their own political organisations where they expected better treatment.

Key characteristics of the American movement

The movement in the United States developed around the principle that women needed to organise separately from men to address their specific concerns effectively. This led to the creation of women-only spaces where they could:

• Organise workshops and discussions about their experiences of oppression
• Develop what became known as "consciousness raising" - helping women understand and articulate the discrimination they faced
• Build solidarity and develop strategies for change

Major organisations and approaches

National Organisation for Women (NOW)

• Formed in 1966 as the largest coalition organisation
• Focused on achieving gender reforms through legislation
• Main priorities included:
  • Gender equality in the workplace
  • Passing of the Equal Rights Amendment

Radical women's groups took more dramatic approaches:

• New York Radical Women (NYRW)
• Redstockings
• Women's International Terrorist Conspiracy from Hell (WITCH)

These radical groups pioneered "zap actions" - dramatic public protests designed to attract media attention and challenge societal norms.

Achievements and progress

The movement began to see concrete results by the 1970s:

• 1972: Rape crisis hotline established in Washington DC
• 1973: Supreme Court legalised abortion
• 1975: United States hosted the first global forum on women's issues

Divisions within the movement

As the movement expanded, important divisions emerged that highlighted different experiences of oppression:

African-American women faced unique challenges:

• Experienced discrimination both as African-Americans and as women
• Many chose to form separate women's liberation organisations
• Example: National Black Feminist Organisation, which defined feminism as the struggle against inequalities of race, class, and gender

Working-class women had different priorities:

• Faced workplace exploitation distinct from middle-class women's experiences
• Many protested against capitalism and helped form the Black Panther Movement
• The Black Panther Movement promoted cooperation between men and women, aligning with Marxist ideological principles

Gay women encountered discrimination different from other groups:

• Led to the emergence of movements focusing specifically on lesbian rights

Britain

Context and organisation

In Britain, the Labour Party and trade unions provided the main framework for organising women's movements and addressing their needs. This created a more institutionalised approach compared to the grassroots nature of American movements.

Key issues and campaigns

British feminists focused on several crucial areas:

Reproductive rights:

• Abortion - successfully legalised in 1967
• Contraceptive pill - became available during the 1960s

Economic equality:

• Equal education opportunities
• Equal pay and job opportunities
• Free 24-hour childcare provision

Social and cultural change

Despite society and culture still being based on traditional values that promoted heterosexual relationships and conventional family structures, significant changes occurred by the mid-1970s. Women gained:

• Greater control over their fertility and reproductive choices
• Increasing economic independence through expanded work opportunities

Countries in Europe

Workplace changes

European countries witnessed dramatic increases in the number of women entering the workforce. However, women continued to be concentrated in lower-paid positions, indicating that workplace equality remained elusive despite increased participation.

Social challenges

Abortion emerged as a particularly contentious issue that challenged the established moral order across Europe. The sexual freedom movements of the 1960s, rather than reducing differences between the sexes, often increased tensions around gender roles and expectations.

Communist states

In Communist countries, women achieved higher positions in the workforce and accounted for nearly half of all professional positions. However, they still continued with traditional housework responsibilities. Marxist ideology suggested that these inequalities would eventually disappear as society progressed towards true equality.

Women's identity in South Africa from the 1950s to 1970s

The framework of apartheid and segregation

Women's liberation in South Africa developed within the oppressive system of segregation and apartheid, which created fundamental differences from liberation movements in other countries. This system:

• Created enormous divisions between women from different racial, class, and ethnic backgrounds
• Meant that women in South African liberation movements often viewed themselves as racially defined groups first, rather than primarily as women
• Led to different priorities and approaches based on racial classification

Racial divisions and different experiences

Black women faced multiple forms of discrimination:

• Race discrimination under apartheid laws
• Workplace discrimination in employment and wages
• Gender discrimination within their communities and society

White women primarily experienced:

• Gender discrimination but benefited from racial privilege under apartheid

Trade unionism and women workers

1920s development: Initially, trade unions operated on non-racial principles, with most women (both black and white) participating from the 1920s onwards. The most influential organisation was the Garment Workers' Union of South Africa (GWUSA), led by Solly Sachs.

1930s and 1940s challenges: The growing strength of Afrikaner nationalism created problems for GWUSA because it demanded that all Afrikaner women remain loyal to Boer culture. When black women wanted to join GWUSA, they were directed to a separate section called the Number 2 Branch.

1950s legislative changes:

• 1952: The Native Labour Act outlawed multiracial unions
• This led black South African women to form the Garment Workers' Union of African Women
• The two unions maintained close cooperation - in 1954, white GWUSA members agreed to give up their annual wage increase and transfer it to black union members instead
• 1961: Solly Sachs was banned under the Suppression of Communism Act

Economic role of black South African women

Rural women represented the most oppressed group under customary law:

• Remained under male control throughout their lives
• Responsible for maintaining agricultural production
• Had to raise children independently when men migrated to work

Urban migration and domestic work:

• Many African women migrated to towns and cities
• Most worked as domestic workers under unregulated conditions
• Worked long hours for minimal wages
• Children were not permitted to live with them

Informal sector participation:

• Many women supplemented their income through informal economic activities
• Examples included brewing and selling traditional beer
• This economic isolation made it difficult for African women to participate in organised women's movements

Women's movements against apartheid

Despite the challenges created by apartheid, several important organisations emerged in the 1950s dedicated to ending both apartheid and the oppression of women.

Federation of South African Women (FSAW or FEDSAW):

• Established in 1953 to address women's grievances and rights
• Operated through organisational membership rather than individual membership
• 1954: Opening conference drafted the Women's Charter, which demanded full equality with men and challenged gender stereotypes

Campaign against pass laws:

• FSAW members joined the resistance campaign against extending the pass book system to women
• The government wanted to limit black women's mobility and access to urban areas
• 1955 and 1956: FSAW organised two major marches to protest these laws
• The marches were led by four women representing the white, coloured, Indian, and black communities, demonstrating multiracial cooperation

Participation in broader liberation movement:

• FSAW participated equally with other organisations in drafting the Freedom Charter in 1955
• Ensured that women's issues were included, such as living conditions, health facilities, and gender equality

Black Sash organisation:

• 1955: Small group of white liberal women formed Black Sash
• Initially fought against changes to franchise laws
• Later shifted focus towards human rights advocacy
• Several black women joined to assist in their Advice Offices

Challenges and limitations

Despite these organised efforts, the National Party remained firmly in control of South Africa by the 1960s. The government had banned the ANC and other liberation organisations, making continued resistance increasingly difficult and dangerous.