1970s Second Wave Feminism

Question 1

The 1970 ‘Miss World’ Protest

Answer 1

• One of the biggest annual events, Royal Albert Hall, millions watching on TV globally
• Event interrupted by activists from the British Women’s Liberation Movement, around 60 protestors
• Protestors threw rotten veg, flour bombs, etc
• Shouted, “We are not ugly! We are not beautiful! We are angry!”
• Many protestors were escorted out by authorities, making headlines in the process
• Press and public were not supportive of the protest
• The winner of the pageant, Jennifer Hosten, was the first black woman to win the title
• “For me it was about race and inclusion - for them, it was about female exploitation”

Question 2

The Advance in Reproductive Rights (1971)

Answer 2

The use of the contraceptive pill became more widespread after being made available in the NHS in 1971.

Question 3

The Equal Pay Act (1970), Enforced in 1975

Answer 3

• Women’s economic position began to improve in the 1960s
• 1968 Dagenham strike, about equal pay grading for different work
• Strike was successful, brought about the passing of the Equal Pay Act
• Women continued to organise demonstrations in London and Liverpool demanding equal pay and free 24-hour childcare
• 1971: Women able to take out a mortgage without a male guarantor
• Employment Protection Act (1975), introduced paid maternity leave, outlawed dismissal on the grounds of pregnancy

Question 4

The Sex Discrimination Act (1975)

Answer 4

• Passed to end sex discrimination against men or women based on gender or marital status
• Aimed to ensure equality of opportunities in employment and education and outlaw harassment

Question 5

The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) (1975)

Answer 5

• Set up by the Sex Discrimination Act
• Aimed to oversee the Sex Discrimination and Equal Pay Acts
• Could bring court proceedings against any party it judged to be not compliant with the acts
• 1976-1983: EOC only launched 9 investigations
• Only 10% of sex discrimination claims in the workplace were successful, difficult to prove

Question 6

The Domestic Violence Act (1975)

Answer 6

• 1976: First rape crisis centre opened in London
• Act made it possible for women to take out court orders restraining violent partners

Question 7

‘Reclaim The Night’ Marches & The Yorkshire Ripper

Answer 7

• Peter William Sutcliffe was an English serial killer, dubbed as the ‘Yorkshire Ripper’
• One of the largest and most expensive manhunts in British history
• West Yorkshire police criticised for their failure to catch him despite interviewing him 9 times during the 5-year investigation
• 22nd May 1981: Found guilty of murdering 13 women and attempting to murder 7 others between 1975-1980
• ‘Reclaim the Night’ marches held in cities across Britain in response to the murders

Question 8

Women’s Political Situations (1970s)

Answer 8

• Women continued to be underrepresented in parliament
• 1970: Women made up 4% of the House of the Commons
• By 1979, this had shrunk to 3% of MPs
• 1975: Margaret Thatcher became first female leader of the Conservative Party, would become first female PM in 1979