Feminism in Australia

Feminism has existed in the society since historical times. Feminist movements began in the 1890s with a focus on championing for women's right to vote and participate in politics. In the present day, third wave feminism exists in an era which is characterized by the victories of the previous feminist waves such as laws criminalizing domestic violence and offering equal opportunities in education and employment. Feminist movements have been on the rise in all countries across the globe including Australia. Despite the laudable progress that has been made by these movements in eradicating systemic oppression and advocating for equal rights, status, and opportunities for men and women, there has been a lot of negativity and criticism channeled towards feminists. Therefore, it can be said that feminism has always been supported in the Australian society.

Fast-forward from the first wave of feminism, it can be argued that Australia has maintained its feminist stand over the years and continues to do so in the present day. Proof of Australia's support for feminism is evident in the different actions taken by influential men and women in the country to ensure that patriarchy, misogyny, and prejudice are not used to perpetuate systemic oppression. The most significant moment in the fight for equality between men and women was in October 2012 when the first female prime minister of Australia called out a smirking opposition leader on his prejudice (Lester, 2012). Australia has since been at the forefront, both at domestic and international levels, advocating for equal pay and ending domestic violence among other consequences of patriarchy.

The feminist perspective is linked to the conflict theory fronted by Karl Marx, even though its proponents assert that feminism is looked at in its classification. Conflict theory posits that the unequal distribution of power and resources sparks conflict which is the engine for change and progress in the society (Mills, 1978). Feminism recognizes that men and women occupy different positions of power in the society. Furthermore, men belong to a dominant class whereby they have greater access to and control over resources and decision making structures. According to feminism, patriarchy is rooted in the unequal gender power relations that exist between men and women. The second wave of feminism emerged in the twentieth century, specifically the 1960s and 1970s. Second wave feminist avoided the political angle citing that any of the barriers to gender equality were rooted in issues such as reproductive rights, sexuality, patriarchy and women's gender roles (Gernsheim, 2007).

Third wave feminism spans into the present day and is also referred to as modern feminism. This wave recognizes that there are different classes and groups of women who all have different socio-economic and political reality. Third wave feminists improve and critique the previous waves that have overgeneralized the experiences of women hence presenting women as a homogenous group. Currently, women's relationship with feminism has been viewed as incendiary with many of the feminist movements and causes being tailored against men. There is a lot of stigmas tied to feminism, and any person who is noted to speak about equality on a public platform is being labeled a feminist. Political influences such as the former Labor leader Mark Latham have rallied against the feminist agenda in Australia with the claims that the country is overwhelming feminist if feminism by definition refers to the support of equal opportunities for men and women.