Examples of feminism in modern society

Feminism in modern society

 

Fourth wave feminism

Feminists who currently advocate for a fourth-wave of feminism believes the circulation of feminist issues rely on social media technology for communicating and organizing their activism efforts. “It's defined by technology: tools that are allowing women to build a strong, popular, reactive movement online.”

Kira Cochrane says that fourth wave feminism focuses on inequality manifesting in "street harassment, sexual harassment, workplace discrimination, body-shaming", media images, "online misogyny", assault on public transport" and intersectionality. (The recognition of interconnected social categorisation such as race, class and gender)

Reports estimate that 8,000 people, mostly women, marched in Washington D.C. to get women's suffrage in the United States. In 2014, one million people tweeted #BringBackOurGirls, a campaign to help rescue girls kidnapped in Africa by a terrorist gang. Suggesting that fourth wave feminism not only focuses on developed countries but also shifting a focus onto the developing world.

Pussy riot

Pussy riot is a Russian feminist protest group; it consists of approximately 11 members ranging from ages 20-33. The group holds provocative performances in public locations, which are then put into music videos and uploaded onto the internet. They protest for feminism, LGBT and the unfair dictatorship of Vladimir Putin.

Various famous figures and activists including Madonna, Paul McCartney, Lady Gaga and many others publicly show support for the group. Other groups such as amnesty international appealed to have the three members who were imprisoned in Russia to be released, via internet campaigns.

Slut walk

Participants protest against excusing rape due to a woman’s appearance and a call to end the rape culture. The slut walk started due to a Toronto police officer making a statement saying ‘women should avoid dressing like sluts’ as a precaution against sexual assault.

The first Slut walk was organized in Toronto, Ontario, on April 3, 2011. The organizers expected around 200 people to show up, but over 3,000 gathered at Queen's Park. The day consisted of speeches given at Queen’s park followed by a march to the police headquarters. Some people wore jeans and t-shirts while others wore bikinis, fish net tights and stilettos.

Free the nipple

The free the nipple campaign stands against female oppression and censorship both in the USA and throughout the world. Today, in the USA it is illegal for a woman to be topless, breastfeeding included, in 35 states, throughout America. In places like Louisiana, an exposed nipple can take a woman to jail for up to three years and cost $2,500 in fines. Even in New York City, which legalized public toplessness in 1992, the NYPD continues to arrest women.