Declaration of the Rights of Woman and the Female Citizen

Definition

The Declaration of the Rights of Woman and the Female Citizen is a document published in 1791 by Olympe de Gouges that asserts the equal rights of women in response to the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. This document argued for women's inclusion in the revolutionary ideals of liberty and equality, challenging the exclusion of women from political rights and highlighting the hypocrisy of a revolution that claimed to fight for universal rights while denying them to half the population.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Olympe de Gouges wrote the Declaration to directly counter the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, asserting that women deserved equal rights.
2. The Declaration emphasizes that women have the same rights as men, including the right to vote, hold public office, and access education.
3. De Gouges was an early feminist who faced significant backlash for her views, eventually leading to her execution during the Reign of Terror.
4. The document was largely ignored by revolutionary leaders, reflecting societal norms that continued to marginalize women's roles in public life.
5. The Declaration has been influential in later feminist movements, serving as an early call for gender equality and women's rights.

Review Questions

• How does the Declaration of the Rights of Woman and the Female Citizen relate to Enlightenment ideals about individual rights?
  • The Declaration of the Rights of Woman and the Female Citizen directly ties into Enlightenment ideals by asserting that all individuals, regardless of gender, are entitled to fundamental rights such as liberty and equality. Olympe de Gouges used these Enlightenment principles to argue against the exclusion of women from political participation. By framing her arguments within this context, she highlighted the inconsistency in revolutionary rhetoric that promoted universal rights while omitting half of humanity.
• Evaluate Olympe de Gouges' arguments within her Declaration in contrast to the prevailing views on women's roles during the French Revolution.
  • In her Declaration, Olympe de Gouges presents arguments that starkly contrast with prevailing views which relegated women to domestic roles. She challenged these norms by advocating for political participation and education for women, asserting their right to vote and hold office. This critique not only questioned societal expectations but also positioned women as active citizens capable of contributing to revolutionary goals, thus challenging the status quo head-on.
• Analyze the impact of the Declaration of the Rights of Woman and the Female Citizen on modern feminist movements and its relevance today.
  • The Declaration's impact on modern feminist movements is profound as it laid an early foundation for arguments advocating gender equality. It resonates today as contemporary feminists draw upon de Gouges' assertion that rights should be universal, encompassing all genders. By highlighting historical struggles for inclusion in political discourse, it serves as a reminder that gender equality remains an ongoing battle, reinforcing calls for equal rights across various spheres including politics, education, and employment.

Related terms

Olympe de Gouges:

A French playwright and political activist known for her advocacy of women's rights during the French Revolution, particularly through her work on the Declaration.

Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen: A fundamental document of the French Revolution, adopted in 1789, which outlined individual and collective rights but excluded women from its guarantees.

Feminism:

A social and political movement that advocates for women's rights and equality, which gained momentum during the Enlightenment and Revolutionary periods.