Becoming Human: The Origins and Development of Women's Human Rights

This article traces the evolution of thought and activism over the centuries aimed at defining women's human rights and implementing the idea that women and men are equal members of society. The author concludes that "over the centuries, tremendous progress has been made in defining, demanding, and implementing women's human rights. Women have moved from the private sphere of home and family into the public sphere as citizens and workers. In many respects and in many countries, women are now considered equal humans, legally if not socially or economically. Yet,reconciling family obligations with political and economic responsibilities remains a challenge for most women of the world. It is a formidable problem in the most industrialized nations and in the poorest families of all nations. The challenge for the twenty-first century is to find ways to reconcile these responsibilities so that women can exercise their human rights and become full citizens in all respects. It may take a new wave of an international women's movement to accomplish this task." [Article Abstract.]