Declarations of Freedom - Essay Example

Declarations of freedom Since time immemorial, it is a known fact that the Creator created men and women equally, giving them equal rights in the world. Note that it is not documented anywhere that the Creator provided two separate equality rights for the two genders. Declaration of freedom was a call for equality and fairness in the American society, especially in terms of governance and voting rights. The public was given the mandate to vote in and out governing system as they deem best for the society.

This happened when calls for the freedom of the united colonies were heightened, and the said colonies wanted to be recognized as independent states. From these freedom calls, it is evident that either the rights of women were ignored or less understood compared to those of men. This paper seeks to discuss and elaborate this claim with the support of examples.In the declaration of freedom, Elizabeth Cady Stanton writes about the declaration of Sentiments, in which she airs the sentiments of women in the fight for recognition and freedom.

This was presented at the Women’s Rights convention held in Seneca Falls, in New York. In this conference attended by about three hundred people, only one hundred signed for the declaration. To elaborate further misunderstanding or less of it for the women’s plight, those who signed for it did so after it was revised and corrected. There are reasons that encouraged women to sit and jot down these sentiments. Among these are the misrepresentations in the legislative front, the fact that is fostered by their being denied elective rights.

Men, also infringed on women’s rights to ownership of property as well as their right to pursue quality higher education, which left women under their control and mercy. Women, because of this oppression, felt worthless with little or no confidence in themselves. Men who struggle to dominate them in every aspect of life have trashed their self-respect. This renders women completely willing to live dependent on men and abjectly at that. It is because of these reasons that the declaration of sentiments was unveiled in the Women’s Right Convention.

From the above points on discrimination of women, it is clear that the rights of women are not prioritized as compared to those of men. The latter group enjoys all the elective and representational rights that exist in the society. In addition, they also define what is considered okay for women to do, as well as what is not right.In the Cuban culture, women were similarly discriminated against just like in America before the united colonies gained their independence. This was before the revolution, 1959.

Women were required to perform their roles as wives and homemakers, as opposed to being educated and independent individuals. For those who had the privilege of going to school, their academic potential was limited (Cuba Solidarity). They were required to give up their academic dreams for the sake of caring for their families. Change concerning women’s roles was brought about by the revolutionary government after the Cuban Women’s Federation, FWC, introduced it. However, women’s privileges were not granted immediately, it took a lot of conventions and convictions.

Now, Cuban women enjoy their rights, including the right to voting and legislative representations. Before the revolution, less than two hundred thousand women held active workforce positions. This is about one fifth of today’s representation of women in the active workforce. This is because over one million women are employed in various careers. In the legislature, women constitute a 36% of the total representation, acting as either full or deputy legislatures (Cuba Solidarity). The great precept of nature dictates that women should not be subjected to position that renders them inferior to men.

This will only be achieved the moment everyone recognizes that both women and men are equal beings, with equal rights to everything. Another step towards achieving this goal is creating awareness by enlightening women about their rights and privileges as women. This is because ignorance on the side of women has been their greatest weakness, and as such, most of them have lived content and satisfied with their current degraded positions in life. This is fundamental because, as the Declaration of sentiments resolved, women are the ones who can fight for their elective rights.

However, all these efforts will be useless unless the government makes it its mandate to promote gender equality, just as Cuba’s Fidel Castro did.Works CitedCuba Solidarity. Women in Cuba. Retrieved December 2, 2013 from www.cuba-solidarity.org.uk/faqdocs/WomenInCuba.pdf Web