Feminism In France For Gender Equality And Right To Education

Feminism in France originated during the French revolution and a few figures associated with it during the 1871 Paris Commune were Louise Michel, Nathalie Lemel and Elisabeth Dmitrieff. Though multiple feminist movements began during the revolution, most of these movements were based on the idea that womens role should be confined to that of mothers and spouses.

In 1790, a society named Société fraternelle de l'un et l'autre sexe was founded by Claude Dansart. This society included famous personalities like Théroigne de Méricourt, Jacques Hébert,Etta Palm d'Aelders, Louise-Félicité de Kéralio and Pauline Léon. In 1791, Declaration of the Rights of Woman and the Female Citizen was published which further propagated feminism in France. This letter was addressed to Queen Marie Antoinette that stressed on womans rights.

In 1793, Pauline Léon and Claire Lacombe created Society of Revolutionary Republicans that had 200 female members, which was a major step in promoting feminism in France. As a part of this society, Claire Lacombe was in favour of empowering of women. The government in the next year outlawed the society.

Feminism in France further developed with Socialist movements of the Romantic generation, particularly among the Parisian Saint-Simonians. Women adopted a new life style that was different from that of the public. Women pushed for equality of rights with men. They also participated extensively in literary activity such as publishing feminist articles and distributing pamphlets with feminist ideas.

Charles Fourier propagated the concept of free love. His conception of the phalanstère community considered womens emancipation and was a major part of Feminism in France. The Bourbon Restoration saw the re-established prohibition of divorce in the year 1816.

July Monarchy tried to restrain the political rights of the masses. The feminist struggle joined the struggle of Republican and Socialist to lead to a formation of Democratic and Social Republic. This led to 1848 Revolution and the formation of the Second Republic that is integral to Feminism in France.

The 1848 Revolution marks itself as an event, which chalked out the feminist movement in France. As a part of feminism in France, women started organizing themselves in various associations and indulging in various political activities. Due to these activities, women were given the name of the Forty-Eighters.

Feminism in France continued as women started organizing a feminist movement during the 1871 Paris Commune. Nathalie Lemel, a socialist bookbinder, and Élisabeth Dmitrieff, a Russian exile started the Women's Union for the Defence of Paris and Care of the Injured in 1871. This association stressed on gender-equality, equality of wages, right to education and right to divorce for women. Feminism in France