Struggle for Women's Emancipation

marxism poster women 1 Image public domainA growing feeling of alienation, injustice and oppression is feeding a general movement of rebellion among women against the existing state of affairs. The awakening of millions of women, especially the younger generation who feel a burning indignation about the discrimination, oppression and humiliation to which they are subjected under an unjust system is a profoundly progressive and revolutionary phenomenon that we should celebrate and support with the utmost enthusiasm.

It goes without saying that Marxists stand one hundred percent in favour of the complete emancipation of women. There cannot be the slightest hesitation, ambiguity or doubt about this. We must fight against the oppression of women at all levels, not just in words but in deeds. Under no circumstances can we allow the impression that this is somehow a secondary issue that can be subsumed under the general category of the class struggle. It would be fatal for the cause of Marxism if women believed that Marxists are prepared to postpone the struggle for their rights until after the victory of socialism. That is entirely false and a vicious caricature of revolutionary Marxism.

While it is true that the complete emancipation of women (and men) can only be achieved in a classless society, it is equally true that such a society can only be achieved through the revolutionary overthrow of capitalism. Women cannot be expected to put to one side their immediate, pressing demands and await the arrival of socialism. The victory of the Socialist revolution is unthinkable without the day-to-day struggle for advance under capitalism.

– From Marxism vs Identity Politics

Title Created Date Author
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Reading guide: women and the Russian Revolution 14 November 2017 In Defence of Marxism
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Marxism vs. Intersectionality 13 July 2017 Jessica Cassell
100 Years Ago, Women Sparked the Russian Revolution 08 March 2017 Fanny Labelle
Crisis of capitalism hits women workers hardest: whatever happened to women’s wage equality? 08 March 2016 Fred Weston
[Video] Marxism and Feminism 30 June 2014 Ylva Vinberg
Women in First World War Britain: Exploitation, revolt and betrayal 07 March 2014 Ana Muñoz
Women's oppression: where it comes from and how to fight it 09 September 2013 Rachel Gibbs and Claire Martin
Women in the Paris Commune 08 March 2012 Carolyn Kemp
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[Audio] Women and Revolution 06 March 2009 Lis Mandl
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[Audio] 100 years of International Women's Day 07 March 2008 Barbara Humphries
[Audio] Women and the Labour Movement 30 January 2008 Barbara Humphries
Women and Revolution - On International Working Women's Day 2005 08 March 2005 Miriam Martin
The Emancipation of Women in Russia before and after the Russian Revolution 08 March 2004 Elisabetta Rossi
From the rice fields to the modern day call centers - Marxism vs. Feminism 10 October 2002 Sonia Previato
The role of women in the trade unions and the struggle of the PTUDC 19 April 2002 Rukhsana Manzoor