Reading 1- Constitutional Argument- Susan B. Anthony

In this article Susan B. Anthony is arguing the fact that she did not commit a crime by voting. She states that every citizen is entitles to a right to vote and a voice in their government. The entire reason that she cannot vote is because the state has developed social policies promoting inequality within her government based on gender. This article was written in 1828, as we have learned in this class women have made great strides within the government since then including the right to vote.

Reading 2- The Postwar Moment- Cynthia Cockburn

Here article is in response to postwar talks at a convention in Dayton Ohio. Cockburn says that people were shocked by the absence of the presence of women at the convention for two reasons. First of all is that women and the struggles were highly rooted at the center of this war. They were the ones that would up-rooted from their homes, the center of the life, and forced to relocate. The second reason is at the time of the convention gender awareness was already an intergovernmental policy. She then goes on to say that after this was brought to attention three women came together to help implement better gender equality in government agencies and polices. As we learned earlier in this chapter government policies are often influenced by the state which has many male dominated practices and higher up officials are often male. This is possibly why there is so little gender awareness and equality within the government and all of its institutions and agencies.

Reading 3- Unequal- Jessica Newirth

Newirth points out the fact that despite the attempts of government to affirm the right of equality it still has not occurred in societies around the world. There are laws that promote equality and them there are ones that go against it. Many of the discriminatory laws that are present today are family laws which directly affect women and their lives. She also notes that point that this does not just occur in Muslim societies but also in the United States. She does acknowledge that change in policies is occurring but at a very slow pace. I found this article to be quite shocking. I didn’t know that some of these acts of discrimination occur. This article further illustrated that women have a very long way to go till equality is reached and one of the main oppressors of women is the government and the policies which it creates.