The Emancipation of Women

Abstract

Whether women today have equality with men in society is very much a ‘live issue’. A brief synopsis of the present position of women may be of use:

• In 1971 The Equal Pay Act was passed, an effort to give women pay comparability with men.

• In 1975 The Sex Discrimination Act made it illegal to discriminate between men and women in employment (amongst other things).

• In 1981 40 per cent of the work force was female.

• Women are now able to enter the professions without too many ‘eye-brows being raised’.

• Women are able to vote at the age of 18 on equal terms with men and without a property qualification.

On the surface quite an impressive list, but many would argue that women are still treated as ‘second-class’ citizens and have some way to go before they achieve equal status with .men. This may well be true but it remains a fact that the status of women is immeasurably better now than it was 100 years ago.