James Coleman
The Roles of Women
The roles of women in various cultures have evolved throughout time to be much more equal in currently. Although there is more general equality, the roles and duties of women still differ greatly depending on the culture. In America, women have more equal rights than in Botswana, where the novel takes place, and though their roles are different, women are still very valuable in each culture.
In America, women have acquired the rights that they currently have because they chose to fight for what they believed in. The Women’s Rights movement began in the early 1920’s with the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which ensured the rights of women to vote. Women’s suffrage had been a long debated topic by this point in history and the passing of the 19th Amendment marked a shift in the cultural mindset of the day. It proved that men had begun to see women as valuable members of society and not as the simple house wives that they had been in the past. After the passing of that amendment, true feminists began to emerge. Female activists who were motivated and determined to see change happen. They used the momentum gained from the laws passed in the 1920’s to fuel the fire that continued into the later 1900s. In 1963 the Equal Pay act was passed, ensuring that men and women would receive equal wages in the workplace. This law was followed by others that required fair treatment in education, housing, and also outlawed discrimination based on sex. The fight for equal rights has continued into the present times and there are still battles to be won. For example, women still earn 80.5 cents for every dollar that a man makes. Although there are still injustices, women in America still have many more rights than others around the world do.
The novel The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith takes place in Botswana, and deals with a female protagonist who experiences discrimination because of her gender. Mma Precious Ramotswe overcame an abusive relationship with her first husband and went on to start her own private detective agency. She was the only private detective in Botswana and began to solve crimes in and around her hometown. But, there were many people who did not think that a woman should be solving crime. They tried to refuse her information or make the case more difficult for her. Botswana operates with a dual legal system under which customary law is applied alongside common law. The problem with this system is that while common law has already experienced some reforms in the women’s rights are, the customary law still remains very prejudiced. But, the tides are changing and there are many women activists in Botswana who want to see equality all across their country. They have been fighting, in recent years, to pass laws that will ensure that women receive equal rights and equal pay without any discrimination.
While Botswana is behind America in the battle for women’s rights, they are still valiantly endeavoring to ensure that the future is better for the upcoming generations. Though the roles of women are different in each of the two countries, they are valued and respected. Thanks to the many women activists around the world, the roles of women in societies are changing. Overall they are becoming more active in their politics and cultures and are apt to take control and hold leadership positions in which their voices are heard. Women play an important role in every society and while the battle is not over, it is heading in a positive direction.
In America, women have acquired the rights that they currently have because they chose to fight for what they believed in. The Women’s Rights movement began in the early 1920’s with the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which ensured the rights of women to vote. Women’s suffrage had been a long debated topic by this point in history and the passing of the 19th Amendment marked a shift in the cultural mindset of the day. It proved that men had begun to see women as valuable members of society and not as the simple house wives that they had been in the past. After the passing of that amendment, true feminists began to emerge. Female activists who were motivated and determined to see change happen. They used the momentum gained from the laws passed in the 1920’s to fuel the fire that continued into the later 1900s. In 1963 the Equal Pay act was passed, ensuring that men and women would receive equal wages in the workplace. This law was followed by others that required fair treatment in education, housing, and also outlawed discrimination based on sex. The fight for equal rights has continued into the present times and there are still battles to be won. For example, women still earn 80.5 cents for every dollar that a man makes. Although there are still injustices, women in America still have many more rights than others around the world do.
The novel The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith takes place in Botswana, and deals with a female protagonist who experiences discrimination because of her gender. Mma Precious Ramotswe overcame an abusive relationship with her first husband and went on to start her own private detective agency. She was the only private detective in Botswana and began to solve crimes in and around her hometown. But, there were many people who did not think that a woman should be solving crime. They tried to refuse her information or make the case more difficult for her. Botswana operates with a dual legal system under which customary law is applied alongside common law. The problem with this system is that while common law has already experienced some reforms in the women’s rights are, the customary law still remains very prejudiced. But, the tides are changing and there are many women activists in Botswana who want to see equality all across their country. They have been fighting, in recent years, to pass laws that will ensure that women receive equal rights and equal pay without any discrimination.
While Botswana is behind America in the battle for women’s rights, they are still valiantly endeavoring to ensure that the future is better for the upcoming generations. Though the roles of women are different in each of the two countries, they are valued and respected. Thanks to the many women activists around the world, the roles of women in societies are changing. Overall they are becoming more active in their politics and cultures and are apt to take control and hold leadership positions in which their voices are heard. Women play an important role in every society and while the battle is not over, it is heading in a positive direction.