Equality vs. Feminism: Similarities And Differences
Gender equality and women’s rights are heavily influenced by the social, economic, cultural and political climate
It’s just a domestic” (Not true!)
How many times have you heard the above?
Oh, it’s nothing!
This isn’t just untrue, it’s a tactic that gaslights victims while protecting abusers.
Domestic abuse (including emotional abuse and coercive control) isn’t a ‘private matter’—it’s a public one. Abuse isn’t ‘nothing’!
👊 Feminism shatters the abuse and silence - fighting for women’s rights, shelter, legal protections, and equality.
Abuse Isn’t a Private, but Public Matter
“Domestic violence was something that people never spoke about. And so I never told anyone. I kept it all to myself. It was locked inside me, and I felt shame.” — Sir Patrick Stewart (Behind Closed Doors)
Abuse victims historically were silenced, and talking about domestic violence was taboo. Physical injuries were covered up, ignored, or lied about (falling down stairs, etc). It was seen as a private matter, between man and woman behind closed doors. Feminism woke people up and activists lobbied for greater scrutiny, transparency, and advocacy for women’s rights, protecting them and their children, who were also witnesses of the abuse. Sir Patrick Stewart (Star Trek star) spoke on an ITV documentary (Behind Closed Doors — Her Majesty The Queen) about domestic abuse in his childhood and how he never talked about it. He and his brother witnessed the horrific abuse his father inflicted on his mother while trying to protect her, which was silenced and unacknowledged.
“It’s just a domestic”
The above term has frequently been used by police to undermine the serious nature of domestic abuse, so women will stay with the abuser, and that women’s experience of violence (emotional and physical) are invalid.
Feminism and Women’s Aid Shelters
In the 1970’s the Women’s Aid movement, founded by Erin Pizzey, and influenced by the feminist ideologies of Gloria Steinem, and Betty Friedan who challenged societal norms, broke the silence victims lived with. They viewed abuse as a public, not a private matter, pioneering not only for gender equality but also advocating women’s right to protection and safety for themselves and their children.
The feminist movement pioneered not only gender equality but also advocated women’s right to protection and safety for themselves and their children. In the 1960s and 70s, the first women’s shelters were established. Feminists realized abuse was a product of societal, systemic, and cultural factors and advocated for barriers to equality to be removed. Because of these factors, they deemed abuse to be a public matter, not private. The first Women’s Aid shelter in the UK was established in 1971 by Erin Pizzey, who later became an ex-feminist, believing that women are just as capable of violence and abuse as men, and she now works as a men’s rights advocate, and pioneers equality for everyone. She was known as the woman who looked “beyond the bruises”.
Erin Pizzey — ex. Feminist
She founded the first Women’s refuge in Chiswick, London in 1971, committed to feminist ideology, but later abandoned this, advocating for equality and men’s rights. She is the founder of 'honest-ribbon.org’.
In the 1970’s Erin became a pioneer, dedicated to elucidating the realities of domestic violence and grievous harm, especially to children who grew up in homes where violence was normalized. However, she does not believe violence is gendered, but rather that it is learned behavior by both genders in dysfunctional, violent families complicated by other factors such as lack of education, poverty, alcohol and drug abuse. Her views caused controversy among feminists, who claim systematic inequalities in society and gender imbalances are important factors in understanding domestic abuse. The feminist view addresses the structural imbalances and maintains that her views deepen gender inequalities.
Gender Inequality and The Blame Game
The feminist movement advocated for legal protection (protection and safety orders), and shelters, and raised societal awareness including advertisements such as using a ‘code name’ in public places to get help.
The idea was to give the victim different avenues to escape abuse. Despite Erin Pizzey’s departure from feminism, achieving gender equality for all is still a work in progress. The rise in equality tribunals for equal pay, sexual harassment at work, on the streets, and attitudes to childcare, marital rape, etc, are some of the serious issues that need addressing. The blame game of assuming abused women aren’t strong enough doesn’t help solve these systemic underlying issues. In the past many women would’ve left abusive husbands, protecting themselves and their children, if domestic violence refuges existed, which they didn’t until 1971 in the UK. These women needed legal, physical, and psychological protection.
Equality and Human Rights for All
These are ideologies which are complex and multi-faceted. Indeed, women can also be as abusive as men, but there are more complex underlying inequalities and gender dynamics to consider. In many cases, men, especially in positions of power, are often believed by authorities and gaslight victims. To claim that women might provoke men, as Erin Pizzer believed (so they react using violence), is an injustice to women, as it excuses the abuse and violence while blaming the woman. Reactive Abuse is a misunderstood term, as it confuses abuse, given that the word is used both for and against abuse. The correct term should be self-defense, as often women try to preserve their sanity and self by reacting abusively to the abuse, which they didn’t start in the first place. The blame game doesn’t protect all human rights or create equality for all, it may deepen existing inequalities, rather than honor fundamental rights for all.
Addressing Social and Systemic Structures in Society
True gender inequality should identify social structures, gender, and power imbalances in society, as well as recognize that abuse can be perpetrated by both men and women. It should be about removing all barriers to equality — legal, economic, cultural, and societal that disproportionately affect women. An equitable, fair system must recognize reality, such as women acting in self-defense displaying reactive abuse, which is different from being the originator of abuse, and recognizing power and gender imbalances.
Conclusion: Gender Equality vs. Feminism
Some people argue that gender equality is separate to feminism, however feminism as its core belief, has fought for equality, addressing societal, cultural, and political aspects. The fight for women’s rights includes fair wages, work equalities, childcare and legal protections also. Feminism seeks equality without blaming women and also recognizes that men can be abused too. Feminism and Gender Equality should be a collective effort towards fundamental rights for all. Feminism is for all who are oppressed.
References — Feminist Literature and Activism
Sir Patrick Stewart (Star Trek) — Witnessed DV as a child
End Violence for Everyone (Erin Pizzey)
The Feminine Mystique — Betty Friedan (1963)
Feminism Is for Everybody — Bell Hooks (2000)
The Second Sex — Simone de Beauvoir (1949)
The Gendered Brain — Gina Rippon (2019)
Men Who Hate Women — Laura Bates (2020)
Down Girl: The Logic of Misogyny— Kate Manne (2017)
Battered Wives — Del Martin (1976)
Cycle of Abuse Theory — Lenore Walker (1979)
A minefield of a topic, for sure - IMO, feminism was primarily about advocating for women's rights and challenging systems that oppress women. While it often intersects with other areas, its core focus has to stay true to its origins — the experiences of women.
Thank you for covering the nuances of feminism and its relationship to gender equality so clearly. They are different movements but also have similarities and common goals. As you suggested,d integrating them can give us a bigger picture of both women's and men's rights. This is a complex topic and triggers different emotions in different people due to its subjective nature.