FIRST WAVE FEMINISM

The inception of the first wave of feminism can be traced back to 1848 in the United States, marked by the Seneca Falls Convention. Here, Elizabeth Cady Stanton's Declaration of Sentiments catalyzed discussions among 300 attendees, highlighting women's subjugated status and advocating for suffrage rights.

The culmination of this wave arrived in 1920, with the grant of women's suffrage in the US. First-wave activists envisioned the vote as a tool for additional reforms in realms such as property rights, education, and employment.

SECOND WAVE FEMINISM

The second wave of feminism began with Betty Friedan's book, "The Feminine Mystique," in 1963. Friedan's work facilitated widespread interest in key issues of the women's liberation movement, including workplace fairness, reproductive rights, and access to education, which shaped the feminist conversation until the early 1980s.

During this period, women formed "consciousness-raising" groups, where they openly shared their personal experiences of oppression. These conversations prompted public campaigns for gender equality and social change, with a particular focus on addressing sexuality and combating gender-based violence. As a result of these efforts, shelters for women and children fleeing domestic abuse and rape were established, marking significant progress in addressing these urgent social issues.

However, similar to the first wave of feminism, mainstream activism during the second wave often failed to fully acknowledge the experiences of non-white women. Women of color faced intersecting forms of oppression based on both gender and race, yet their voices and perspectives were frequently marginalized within the broader feminist movement.

THIRD WAVE FEMINISM

The third wave of feminism emerged in the 1990s, championing diversity, sex positivity, and intersectionality.

Intersectionality recognizes that individuals can face oppression based on various factors, including race, gender, sexuality, class, and ethnicity.

This wave of feminism embraced a wide spectrum of perspectives and actively confronted ongoing issues such as sexual harassment in the workplace and the lack of women in positions of power.

Moreover, the third wave popularized the concept of "girl power,” inspiring feminist musicians to utilize their music to tackle issues such as homophobia, sexual harassment, misogyny, racism, and the empowerment of women.

FOURTH WAVE FEMINISM

The fourth wave of feminism, which surged in 2013, is distinguished by its heavy use of digital or online activism. This wave is characterized by extensive online mobilization, fostering unprecedented connectivity among activists. A key aspect of the fourth wave is its use of digital platforms to mobilize large-scale demonstrations, as seen in movements like #MeToo. The widespread access to online connectivity has allowed fourth wave feminism to transcend geographical boundaries. Despite the complexities involved, highly visible gender protests have reshaped the perception of feminism, evolving it from a stigmatized ideology to one with a newfound evolved status.