SEX AND GENDER

AS SPECTRUM
(NOT BINARIES)
 01

FEMINISM
WHAT IS FEMINISM?
Feminism is a collection of
movements and ideologies aimed at
defining, establishing, and defending
equal political, economic, and social
rights for women. This includes seeking
to establish equal opportunities for
women in education and employment.
 HISTORY OF FEMINISM
❖ The history of the modern western movements is
divided into four “waves”. Each is described as
dealing with different aspects of the same feminist
issues.

✓ First Wave Feminism

✓ Second Wave Feminism
✓ Third Wave Feminism
✓ Fourth Wave Feminism
 FIRST WAVE FEMINISM
Historical Content
Women widely are considered to be:
▪ Intellectually inferior
▪ Physically weak
▪ Emotional, intuitive, irrational
▪ Suited to the role of wife and mother
▪ Women could not vote
▪ They were not educated at school/ universities and could only
work in manual jobs
 FIRST WAVE FEMINISM
▪ A married women’s property and salary were owned by
her husband
▪ Rape and physical abuse are legal within marriage
▪ Divorce available to men but far more difficult to women
▪ Women had no right to their children if they left a
marriage
▪ Abortion was illegal
 FIRST WAVE FEMINISM
❑ First-wave feminism refers to a period of feminist activity
during the 19th and early twentieth century advocated for
constitutional and social change to mitigate gender
inequality.
❑ First wave feminism focused on gaining women the right to
vote, the right to education, the right to own property, and
the right to be legally recognized as independent subjects
from their husbands, rather than their property. In 1920,
Congress passed the Nineteenth Amendment, affording
women the right to vote.
 SECOND WAVE FEMINISM
Historical Background
▪ Women could attend school and university
▪ Women did not receive equal pay for the same work
▪ It was easier to gain a divorce but socially frown upon
▪ Rape and physically abuse within marriage were illegal but
husbands were rarely convicted
▪ Abortion was still illegal
▪ Women’s body were objectified in advertising
 SECOND WAVE FEMINISM
❑ The second wave of feminism which occurred in 1960-
1980, came as a response to the experiences of women
after World War II.

❑ The second wave of feminism focused on a broad range

of issues beyond women's suffrage. It addressed gender
inequality in areas such as reproductive rights, workplace
discrimination, sexuality, family roles, and legal
inequalities.
 SECOND WAVE FEMINISM
❑ A major victory of the second wave was the legalization
of birth control and the fight for reproductive rights. The
landmark U.S. Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade in 1973
legalized abortion nationwide, giving women the right to
make decisions about their own bodies. The availability
of the birth control pill, approved by the FDA in 1960,
also provided women with more control over their
reproductive lives.
 THIRD WAVE FEMINISM
Historical Content
▪ Women seem to be more equal to men
▪ Women are no longer obligated to marry or have
children, and marriage is more equal.
▪ The legal system is better at protecting women’s right.
 THIRD WAVE FEMINISM
❑ Third wave feminism, beginning in the mid-1990s,
focused on embracing diversity, individualism, and
the complexity of women's experiences.
❑ It challenged the notion of a universal womanhood
and addressed issues such as gender, sexuality, race,
and class.
 THIRD WAVE FEMINISM
❑ This wave emphasized personal empowerment,
reclaiming derogatory terms, and redefining
femininity on one's own terms. It celebrated
ambiguity, broke down traditional gender norms,
and encouraged intersectionality, recognizing that
different women experience oppression in varied
ways.
 THIRD WAVE FEMINISM
❑ This wave broadened the feminist movement to be more
inclusive of diverse voices, including women of color,
LGBTQ+ individuals, and people from various socio-
economic backgrounds.

❑ It also reclaimed feminine symbols (like makeup and

fashion) as tools of empowerment rather than
oppression, promoting the idea that women could define
femininity for themselves.
 FOURTH WAVE FEMINISM
❑ Fourth wave feminism began around 2012, with a
focus on sexual abuse, sexual harassment, sexual
violence, the objectification of women, and sexism in
the workplace.

❑ Fourth-wave feminism has leveraged digital technology

to advance its goals, focusing on a more intersectional
and inclusive approach.
 FOURTH WAVE FEMINISM
Digital Activism and Awareness:
❑ Fourth-wave feminists have utilized social media
platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to
organize and amplify their voices. Campaigns like
#TimesUp, #YesAllWomen, #EverydaySexism, and
#HeForShe have raised awareness on issues ranging from
gender-based violence to everyday sexism, promoting
global discussions.
 FOURTH WAVE FEMINISM
Digital Activism and Awareness:
❑ One of the most impactful achievements of fourth-wave
feminism is the #MeToo movement, which gained global
traction in 2017. It brought widespread attention to
issues of sexual harassment, assault, and abuse,
particularly in the workplace. The movement empowered
survivors to share their experiences, leading to
accountability for many high-profile perpetrators
 02

TYPES OF FEMINISM
 LIBERAL FEMINISM
❑ Liberal feminists advocate for gender equality through legal
and political reforms.
❑ They emphasize that women should have the same rights and
opportunities as men in all areas of life, including education,
employment, and politics.
❑ Gender justice, according to liberal feminists, involves
ensuring that the "rules of the game" are fair, meaning that
women should not face legal or societal barriers that hinder
their ability to compete equally with men.
 LIBERAL FEMINISM
Criticisms of Liberal Feminism:
❑ Critics, particularly radical feminists, argue that liberal feminism does not
go far enough in challenging the deeper structures of patriarchy and
male dominance.
❑ They claim that merely changing laws and policies does not address the
root causes of women's oppression, such as societal norms and cultural
practices that reinforce gender roles and inequality.
❑ Radical feminists believe that liberal feminism's focus on reforming
existing systems overlooks the need to dismantle patriarchal institutions
entirely.
 RADICAL FEMINISM
❑ Radical feminism emerged in the late 1960s and early 1970s, focusing on the
idea that patriarchy—a system of male dominance—is the primary source of
women's oppression.
❑ Radical feminism challenges the traditional gender roles imposed by patriarchy,
which designate men as dominant and women as submissive.
❑ They argue that these roles are socially constructed to maintain male supremacy
and that dismantling these roles is key to overcoming women's oppression.
❑ Radical feminists call for revolutionary change rather than mere reform. They
believe that the entire patriarchal system must be uprooted and replaced with
new structures that promote equality and eliminate male dominance.
 RADICAL FEMINISM
Two Subgroups of Radical Feminism:

1. Radical-Libertarian Feminism:
o Radical-libertarian feminists advocate for sexual freedom and

the exploration of a full range of human experiences, believing

that the suppression of women's sexuality is a central
mechanism of patriarchal control.
o They view traditional gender roles and the rigid binary of

masculinity and femininity as restrictive and advocate for

androgyny—the blending of masculine and feminine qualities—
as a path to liberation.
 RADICAL FEMINISM
Two Subgroups of Radical Feminism:

2. Radical-Cultural Feminism:
o Radical-cultural feminists emphasize the inherent value of

femininity and female sexuality, often advocating for the

creation of female-centered spaces and cultures as a means of
resisting patriarchy.
o They challenge the notion that liberation requires adopting

masculine traits or behaviors and instead call for a reevaluation

and celebration of what they see as uniquely feminine qualities.
 MARXIST & SOCIALIST FEMINISM
❑ Marxist and socialist feminists argue that women's oppression is
rooted in the capitalist system and the class structures that it
creates.

❑ While Marxist feminists focus on how capitalism, particularly

private property and the class system, leads to women's
subordination, socialist feminists combine this critique with an
analysis of patriarchy, seeing it as a dual system that
simultaneously oppresses women.
 BLACK FEMINISM
Black feminism is a philosophy centered around the condition of Black
women—who experience oppression both on the basis of race and sex—
in patriarchal, white-dominated, capitalist western society. Largely
ignored by the first and second feminist waves and early Black male-
dominated liberation movements, Black women created their own space
to discuss the unique oppression and discrimination affecting their
everyday lives. The National Black Feminist Organization (NBFO) was
formed in 1973 to ensure that the demands of mainstream civil rights
groups would not overshadow their rights as autonomous human beings.
 CULTURAL FEMINISM
Cultural feminism refers to the separatist idea that
women innately possess an evolved essence, which
distinguishes them from men, giving them societal
advantages that culture at large has historically qualified
as weaknesses. Cultural feminists believe that a woman’s
perspective should receive more credence. Critics argue
that cultural feminism relies too heavily on the
“essentialist” tenets of society’s gender binary.
 ECOFEMINISM
Ecofeminism aligns the historical and present-day
oppression of both women and the environment, arguing
that patriarchal societies have used the same methods to
dominate the planet’s resources as they have to control
women. Ecofeminists believe that respecting and
prioritizing a healthy planet is integral to achieving true
equality.
Emma Watson’s
UN Speech
EMMA WATSON’S UN SPEECH
Emma Watson’s 2014 speech at the
United Nations, launching the HeForShe
campaign, was a powerful call for gender
equality and a significant moment in the
feminist movement. Her speech addressed the
misconception that feminism is anti-men,
highlighting the need for men to be allies in
the fight for equal rights and opportunities for
women.
 EMMA WATSON’S UN SPEECH
Key Points of the Speech
✓ Watson emphasized that feminism is not about hating men but
rather about achieving equal rights and opportunities for both
genders.
✓ Watson discussed how both men and women are limited by
societal expectations and stereotypes. She highlighted the
negative impacts of these stereotypes on both genders,
emphasizing the need for a more inclusive and equitable society.
 EMMA WATSON’S UN SPEECH
✓ Watson stressed the crucial role men play in achieving gender equality. She argued
that men benefit from a more equal world and encouraged them to actively
participate in the movement.
✓ Watson introduced the HeForShe campaign, a UN-sponsored initiative that aims to
mobilize men and boys as advocates for gender equality. The campaign seeks to
create a more inclusive and equitable world by challenging harmful gender
stereotypes and empowering both men and women.
✓ Watson concluded her speech with a powerful call to action, urging everyone to
ask themselves, “If not me, who? If not now, when?” She emphasized that
everyone has a responsibility to work towards a more equitable world.
 The HeForShe Campaign
❑ The HeForShe campaign has become a global movement, engaging
millions of people worldwide. It has gained support from prominent
figures, including former US President Barack Obama, actor Matt
Damon, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
❑ The campaign has significantly raised awareness about gender
inequality and the importance of men's involvement in achieving
equality. HeForShe has empowered women and girls by providing
them with a platform to voice their concerns and advocate for their
rights.
 The HeForShe Campaign
❑ The campaign has challenged traditional gender roles and
stereotypes, promoting a more inclusive and equitable society.
❑ Some critics have argued that the name “HeForShe” reinforces
the gender binary and excludes non-binary, transgender, and
genderqueer individuals.
❑ Some activists have argued that the campaign shifts
responsibility for addressing violence against women from
perpetrators
AUTHORITARIANISM,
MISOGYNY, AND COVID-19
IN THE PHILIPPINES
 Misogyny and Authoritarianism in the
Philippines
❑ Under President Rodrigo Duterte, the Philippines has seen a rise
in authoritarianism that is intertwined with misogyny.
❑ Duterte has frequently made sexist remarks, belittling women’s
role in society, which reflects deeper systemic misogyny.
❑ The pandemic exacerbated pre-existing gender inequalities, with
women disproportionately affected by unemployment, domestic
violence, and healthcare access.
 Feminism Under Authoritarian Rule
❑ Misogyny as a Political Tool:
o Duterte’s administration uses misogyny to maintain power, marginalizing
women’s voices and undermining feminist movements.
o Fear and Control: Authoritarian regimes often suppress feminist
activism, labeling it as a threat to traditional values and state authority.
❑ Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic:
o The pandemic amplified the vulnerabilities of marginalized groups,
particularly women, due to stricter control measures and limited access
to essential services.
 EFFECT OF COVID 19
PANDEMIC TO WOMEN
❑ Decreased economic opportunities
❑ Amplified traditional gender roles
❑ Increase in gender-based violence
❑ Decreased access to reproductive
and maternal health care
Thanks!