Definition and Purpose of Feminism

Historical and Conceptual Evolution

To approach feminism with rigor, we must first dissect the term.

Etymologically it comes from the French root femme (woman), but its meaning has undergone a profound transformation from its emergence in the 17th century to the 21st century.

Historically, the first waves of this movement focused on the conquest of tangible and legal democratic rights.

Pioneering women fought for access to formal education, the right to vote, the legal capacity to own property or the power to sign contracts without male guardianship.

These initial demands sought reforms within the existing legal framework, essentially operating outside the domestic sphere.

However, contemporary feminism has expanded its horizon beyond legal reform toward total emancipation.

It is no longer just about being able to vote, but about challenging subordination within the home, culture and mental structures.

Today, the movement challenges the very notion that biology determines destiny, rejecting that there are exclusive behavioral categories for each sex.

It has become a struggle for dignity and freedom of choice, seeking to liberate both women and men from the watertight boxes that limit their human and professional potential.

The Perspective of the Marginalized and Transformative Action

An operative and profound definition of feminism is the ability to "look at the world through women's eyes."

Since women often represent the most marginalized segment within any oppressed group (the poorest of the poor, the most vulnerable among ethnic minorities), adopting this perspective allows us to understand exclusion in its most acute form.

Leading thinkers, especially from black feminism, define it as a movement committed to eradicating sexism, sexist exploitation and oppression in all its forms.

It is crucial to understand that feminism is neither a passive state nor a mere theoretical label; it is composed of two indivisible elements: recognition and action.

• First, it involves awareness of the existence of discrimination and patriarchy.
• Second, and more importantly, it requires action to change that reality.

This action does not need to be a massive protest; it can manifest itself in everyday decisions.

For example, a professional who decides not to tolerate constant interruptions in a meeting, or a young woman who chooses to prioritize her education over social mandates of early marriage, are performing feminist acts.

Membership in an organization is not required to be part of the change; it is enough to identify injustice and have the will to not perpetuate it.

Summary

The term feminism has evolved from seeking legal rights, such as the vote, to a total emancipation that questions mental structures and rejects that biology determines destiny.

Defining it as looking through women's eyes allows us to understand acute exclusion. It is a movement committed to eradicating sexism and oppression in all its forms.

Feminism requires both awareness of discrimination and action to change reality. Small daily decisions, such as not tolerating interruptions, are valid feminist acts without requiring membership in organizations.