Feminist theory has developed in waves over time. First-wave feminism in the 19th century focused on gaining equal rights such as voting. Second-wave feminism from the 1960s addressed a wider range of issues like sexuality, family, and the workplace. Third-wave feminism from the 1990s emphasized issues like gender violence, queer and non-white women's rights, and considers race and social class as central issues.

1. FEMINIST THEORY
Syed Ishraq Hussain

2. Feminism
• DEFINITION
The belief that men and women should have equal rights and
opportunities
•

3. History
• The origins of the feminist movement are found in the
abolitionist movement of the 1830’s.
• Seneca Falls, New York is said to be the birthplace of American
feminism.
• The words " ("feminist") first appeared in France and the
Netherland in 1872,Great Britain in the 1890s, and the United
States in 1910

4. First Wave Feminism:
• First-wave feminism was a period of activity during the 19th
century and early twentieth century. In the UK and US, it
focused on the promotion of equal, marriage, parenting, and
property rights for women. By the end of the 19th century,
activism focused primarily on gaining political power, particularly
the right of women's suffrage (right to vote), though some
feminists were active in campaigning for women's social,
and economical rights .

5. Second-wave feminism
• It is a period of feminist activity that first began in the early
1960s in the United States, and eventually spread throughout
the Western world and beyond. In the United States the
movement lasted through the early 1980s.
• Whereas the First wave focused mainly on suffrage and
gender equalities (e.g.., voting, property rights), second-wave
feminism broadened the debate to a wide range of issues:
sexuality, family, the workplace, reproductive rights, de facto
inequalities, and official legal inequalities

6. Third-wave feminism
• Rebecca Walker coined the term "third-wave feminism" in
a 1992 essay.
• symbol of the third wave's focus on queer
(homosexual) and non-white women.
• Focused on Gender violence, derogatory (disrespect)
terms e.g bitch, whore.
• Third-wave feminism regards race, social class,
transgender rights, and sexual liberation as central issues.