The evolution of women’s rights has been marked by significant milestones over centuries. In ancient civilizations, women’s roles were primarily domestic, with limited legal rights. During the medieval period, women’s rights were restricted by feudal and religious systems, but some, particularly in religious orders, accessed education and influence.

The Enlightenment in the 18th century introduced ideas of individual rights, with early feminist works like Mary Wollstonecraft’s “A Vindication of the Rights of Woman” advocating for women’s equality. The 19th century saw the rise of organized women’s rights movements, epitomized by the 1848 Seneca Falls Convention in the U.S., which called for equal rights, including suffrage.

The early 20th century was dominated by the suffrage movement, resulting in voting rights for women in countries such as New Zealand (1893), the U.S. (1920), and the UK (1928). Women also gained legal rights like property ownership and access to higher education. Post-World War II, the second-wave feminist movement of the 1960s and 1970s broadened the focus to workplace equality, reproductive rights, and challenging societal norms, achieving milestones like the Equal Pay Act (1963) and Roe v. Wade (1973).

From the late 20th century to the present, legal reforms have continued, addressing gender discrimination, domestic violence, and sexual harassment. International agreements, such as CEDAW (1979), have set global standards for gender equality. Modern feminism increasingly emphasizes intersectionality, considering race, class, and sexuality alongside gender. Social and cultural attitudes have evolved, with greater acceptance of diverse identities and roles.