Canadian Women and Struggle for Inequality Essay Example

to value their essential healthcare rights. It was not until the 1960s that women were finally granted the chance to engage in national elections.

Family planning services in Canada were exclusively provided to married women, granting them moral status. However, these women were not granted property ownership and development rights. This inequality extended even within marriages, as shown by the Supreme Court ruling in Irene Murdoch's case. Despite this, Lorna recognizes the progress made by women's rights organizations in their fight for equality.

While the Canadian government typically disregards women's rights in non-war times, it becomes apparent that respect for these rights is only demonstrated during periods of war. Ideally, the government should have recognized and endorsed women's rights even before World War I and II (Weitz & Kwan, 2014). Nonetheless, the advancement of human rights is frequently linked to significant historical occurrences such as war.

The Canadian government's recognition of the significance of women in the economy stems from their involvement in the First and Second World Wars, as most men were engaged in combat during these periods. Consequently, their wives faced challenges in providing for their families. Canada's acknowledgment of women's role in economic development can be attributed directly to these global conflicts (Marsden 2012). Lorna contends that suffrage rights should have been granted to women much earlier, expressing discontent with the government's delay in enacting laws that grant women voting and political candidacy privileges. As per Lorna's book, it depicts women as feeble leaders who are unfit for holding public positions (Marsden 2012).

On January 1, 1919, women were granted the right to vote, marking the end of discrimination in national elections and their pursuit of

political positions (Marsden 2012). However, Lorna argues that it was World War I that truly revolutionized women's political rights. Lorna advocates for women's involvement in the military as they possess the ability to safeguard the nation from external threats through active participation in wars (Weitz & Kwan, 2014). Prior to World War I, women were not enlisted into the Canadian military and their participation in defending the country against external attacks seemed improbable. The war introduced permanent roles for women within the military (Marsden 2012).

Women have held positions in both elected parliaments and the military as commissioned officers throughout history. The book acknowledges the impact of historical and social events on advancing women's rights. In modern society, women now have equal rights to men. Although many women work today, they still shoulder the responsibility of childcare. Nonetheless, this book ultimately commemorates the significant progress made in empowering women's societal roles.

Despite facing ongoing challenges in areas such as healthcare, domestic violence, and workplace discrimination, organizations advocating for women's rights have made considerable strides towards achieving equality. Lorna's book offers a thorough examination of this progress, highlighting both the accomplishments and remaining obstacles. However, it fails to acknowledge the valuable support provided by men in empowering their female peers. Nonetheless, these achievements serve as inspiration for individuals today to persist in their efforts. Despite some flaws, Lorna's book presents remarkable sociological perspectives on the historical events that have shaped women's quest for equal rights.

Students studying history and gender studies will always find value in this book.

References

1. Canadian Women and the Struggle for Equality. (2016). CanadasHistory. Retrieved 6 March 2016 from http://www.canadashistory.ca/Books/Lire-sur- l%E2%80%99histoire/Reviews/Canadian-Women-and-the-Struggle-for-Equality

(2014). The politics of women's bodies: Sexuality, appearance, and behavior.