A feminist protest in the late 1960s

The imbalance between the male and female gender has long been a debated issue. Since the nineteenth century, feminism has been attempting to achieve gender balance and equality for women. Having already been through three ‘waves’, it has been argued that there is no longer a need for feminism in modern Western society. However, those who have taken part in the so-called ‘Slut Walks’ believe that the issues of feminism have not been fully satisfied.

Why Feminism?

Feminism has always been led by strong-minded women with the ability and drive to achieve. And it is these women from the past who have changed the world for women today. For example, issues such as the need for equal pay have long been achieved – or at least legislation has been passed in many European countries ensuring that equal pay is a right, rather than a privilege. And in many areas of expertise, women today can be found in highly-paid jobs, rivalling their male counterparts. The yearly list by Forbes magazine which presents a rundown of the world’s most powerful people includes the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, who is ranked at number six. All of which highlights the changes and developments that previous feminist movements have brought to society.

As suggested by early feminist pioneer Germaine Greer in The Female Eunuch, “It seems that woman has more likelihood of success the higher she pitches her sights, and the more uncommon she is in her chosen environment.” The perfect example can be found in British businesswoman Karen Brady, who has previously been voted businesswoman of the year, venturing into territories not normally dominated by women such as football, and still making her way to the top. However, success in higher paid jobs is not the only positive outcome; today it is women’s freedom to choose what they want to do – with hard work, women can break through the glass ceiling in any sector they choose.

The Fourth Wave

What feminism has shown is that for women, in the Western world in particular, the possibilities have been opened up and that it is important for women to have the mindset that nothing is unachievable. So, with such positive outcomes being brought to the lives of women, the idea of the fourth wave of feminism should be welcomed with open arms? With feminist marches and protesting having remained more or less dormant for the last couple of years, the ‘Slut Walks’ have been widely claimed as symbolic of feminism entering its fourth wave. However, for many women, whilst they support the messages and aims of the walks, they do not have the same support for the manner in which they have been carried out.

Starting in Toronto, Canada, the Slut Walks were founded in response to comments made by Constable Michael Sanguinetti, a Toronto police officer who sparked outrage by suggesting that rape and sexual victimisation could be prevented if women were to “avoid dressing like sluts”. In retaliation, women worldwide have taken to the streets, with many dressed provocatively in order to remove the negative connotations that surround the word slut and raise awareness to the causes and effects of rape – whilst underlining that women can wear what they want without fear that this may invite unwanted sexual attention.

One of the original aims of feminism was to prevent women from feeling the need to sexualise themselves; to see themselves as more than objects. And by accepting this concept themselves, this would then begin tochange the way that men perceived and treated women. However, the Slut Walks seem to promote the exact opposite; these modern day feminists want to encourage women to dress sexually because they feel there is no reason they shouldn’t be allowed to.

Women on a recent slut walk in London

Do We Need the Fourth Wave?

The ultimate question is, is it all necessary? The developments that have been made for women in the Western world since the start of the feminist movement have been extensive. However, in many developing countries, women’s problems extend further than simply being able to wearing provocative clothes. Recently women of Saudi Arabia have stood up against the inequality the country displays by protesting against the countries ban against female drivers. While abuse to females in the form of genital mutilation is still rife worldwide, according to The Women’s Resource Centre, three million girls undergo mutilation each year, with the most cases occurring in Africa.

Due to the nature of such countries where these problems still occur, women do not have the freedom to protest freely and due to the consequences, few feel the ability to try and bring about change. And so it can be considered a privilege for women who are able to take part in the Slut Walks to do so. While rape is still a serious issue, despite the offhand comment made by the Toronto police officer, rape occurs no matter what women wear. It is therefore important not to pander to the stereotype of the sexualised female. We should continue to fight against the injustices that women face by focusing on the real topics. And for women that are allowed to have a voice, the next step for the fourth wave of feminism would be to make sure that equality for women can be achieved worldwide.

Germaine Greer sums up the situation when she writes: “ The world will not change overnight, and liberation will not happen unless individual women agree to be outcasts, eccentrics, perverts and whatever the powers-that-be choose to call them. There have been women in the past far more daring than we would need to be now, who ventured all and gained a little, but survived after all.” As women’s power increases it is time to use that to make sure that no woman should experience inequality or objectification.