Recommended Readings for International Women's Day
To commemorate International Women's Day, we recommend 10 books by 10 feminist authors and take a look at the history of the movement.
March 8th
March 8th affects everyone, whether they like it or not, and it's better to be well-informed so that we don't get caught up in a debate without knowing what it's about. Let's take a look at some basic concepts that anyone interested in feminism and women's rights should know, especially when studying at university or already having an eTítulo. It is a day when equality of rights between both sexes is demanded and the fight against discrimination and gender-based violence is waged. On this day, the aim is to raise awareness of the inequalities that still persist in society between men and women and to advocate for women's rights. The social, political, and philosophical movement that fights for this equality between men and women (equality of rights, opportunities, treatment, freedoms, economic equality, sexual equality, etc.) is feminism. In broad terms, feminism is defined as the set of theories and practices that seek equality of rights and opportunities between men and women, as well as the elimination of discrimination and gender-based violence (which is violence exercised against women simply because they are women and because they are culturally subordinate to men).A historical overview of the fight for women's rights
Throughout history, feminism has had several waves, each with its own characteristics and objectives. The feminist movement emerged in the 18th century during the Enlightenment, and as part of that movement, enlightened women demanded women's emancipation, equality before the law, the right to education, and the right to property. The most notable authors are Olympe de Gouges, who wrote the Declaration of the Rights of Woman and of the Female Citizen in 1791, Mary Wollstonecraft, author of A Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792), and Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, a Mexican woman who wrote poems and essays that challenged gender stereotypes and advocated for women's right to education and culture. First wave of feminism: (19th and 20th centuries). It focuses on the fight for the right to vote, education, and legal equality between men and women. Feminists of the time criticized the double standard that allowed men to have sexual relationships outside of marriage, while women were judged and condemned for the same behavior. They also fought against prostitution and the trafficking of women, as it was a form of sexual exploitation and oppression against women. The most notable authors are Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. In Spain and Latin America, we have Concepción Arenal, Clara Campoamor, Carmen de Burgos, Alfonsina Storni, Paulina Luisi, and Virginia Bolten. Second wave of feminism: (1960 - 1970). It focuses on the fight for gender equality in the political, social, and economic spheres. Activists of this time fought for reproductive rights, equal pay, the elimination of sex-based discrimination, and the elimination of sexist violence (including, of course, sexual violence). They advocated for equality in the workplace; they denounced discrimination in hiring, the gender pay gap, and the lack of opportunities for advancement. They also advocated for the right to control their own reproduction, calling for the legalization of abortion and access to safe and effective contraceptive methods. Some of the most notable figures are Simone de Beauvoir, Betty Friedan, Kate Millett, and Angela Davis, among others. Among Spanish-speaking representatives, we have Victoria Sau, Amelia Valcárcel, Celia Amorós, Lidia Falcón, María Luisa Femenías, Marta Vergara, and Julieta Kirkwood. Third wave of feminism: (1990 - 2000). It focuses on the diversity of women's experiences and the fight against sexism and other forms of oppression. Unlike previous waves, which focused mainly on political and legal rights, the third wave focuses on equality in all areas of life, including politics, culture, and economics. This wave has made use of the internet and social media to connect women around the world, share their experiences, and try to create global awareness of the problems women face simply because they are women. Some notable figures of this wave include Rebecca Walker, Bell Hooks, and Jennifer Baumgardner. Among Spanish-speaking authors, we have María Pazos, Ana de Miguel, Alicia Miyares, Laura Freixas, Rita Laura Segato, Marcela Lagarde, and Sylvia Marcos. Fourth wave of feminism: (2010 onwards). Its aim is to continue the fight for equality between women and men and the elimination of gender-based violence in all areas of society. Young women have been an important driving force of this wave and have created new forms of activism focused on raising awareness of the movement, such as the use of hashtags on social media, performance art, and the creation of new collectives and organizations. One of the central themes of the fourth wave is intersectionality, which seeks to raise awareness of the different ways in which women are discriminated against based on their ethnicity, sexual orientation, or social class. This intersectionality recognizes that women do not face oppression in the same way and that it is necessary to address the different forms of discrimination in order to achieve equality. Some notable feminists of the fourth wave are Rebecca Solnit, Laura Bates, Caroline Criado, Naomi Klein, Amelia Tiganus, and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Among Spanish and Latin American representatives, we have Tasia Aránguez, Nuria Varela, Ester Pineda, and Paula Fraga.Recommended readings
Anyone who is a feminist, aspires to be one, or wants to criticize this movement with knowledge should take a look at some of the following books we propose:- The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir: This feminist classic, published in 1949, addresses the social construction of femininity and the inequality between men and women.
- The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan: Published in 1963, it focuses on the oppression women face due to domestic work and caregiving.
- The Book of the City of Ladies by Christine de Pizan: Written in 1405, this book is a defense of women's intellectual and moral capacity, at a time when women were considered inferior to men.
- Towards a Critique of Patriarchal Reason by María Milagros Rivera Garretas: Analyzes the relationship between patriarchy and knowledge and argues for the need for a feminist critique of reason.
- Sexual Politics by Kate Millett: Published in 1970, this book is a critique of the patriarchal structures of society and a defense of women's sexual freedom.
- Invisible Women (2020) by Caroline Criado analyzes how patriarchy and sexism make women and their achievements invisible. It reflects on the role of women in society and the importance of recognizing their work and contributions.
- Ética para Celia by Ana de Miguel is a book that invites reflection on the moral and values that guide our life in society. It critically reflects on the double truth that philosophy has shown us and proposes a more just, inclusive, and solidarity-based ethics.
- Now Feminism (2017): In this book, Amelia Valcárcel analyzes contemporary feminism and its historical evolution. She reflects on the current struggles of feminism and its relationship with other social movements such as environmentalism or anti-racism. She proposes a reflection on the future of feminism and the challenges it faces today.
- Women and Power by Mary Beard (2018) is an essay that analyzes the relationship between women and power in history and in contemporary society, and how changes and resistances have occurred over time.
- The Revolt of the Whores by Amelia Tiganus (2021) tells the author's experience as a victim of human trafficking and her fight as a feminist activist to denounce sexual exploitation and violence against women.
