The suffragists founded the 1st wave of feminism in their fight against the government for their right to vote. In the 1960s, a more radical approach emerged with women in the western world protesting beauty contests to maternity rights and advocating for the liberation of women from the oppressive rules of men. 3rd wave feminism is a more recent wave, also said to be continuing to this day, it started in Olympia, WA in the 1990s by the Riot Grrrl movement with the aim to give women more artistic power and influence. Punk bands all over the globe such as Bikini Kill and Huggy Bear sung about sexual independence of women (Don't Need You), opposition to mainstream American norms and values (Reject All American) and the exploitation of young girls (Daddy's Little Girl). Since then this America-centric movement has declined.
Just when we're about to think "where have all the political female punk bands gone to?" Pussy Riot emerge. Their existence is globally momentous and striking. With their bright coloured snow masks and neon tights they have created a phenomenal uprising.
Beyonce's self titled 2013 album features Chimamanda Ngozi Adichi, a Nigerian novelist who rose to fame after her TED talk speech on feminism.
Take Back The Night marches make a comeback. Slutwalks are an international, annual event. Perhaps one could say the 4th wave of feminism is here.
The media and internet plays a significant role in the creation of 4th wave. Most activism is now based online with petitions shared on Facebook, raising awareness on topical issues through Twitter and it seems as though the academic feminist theorists have been replaced with famous Youtubers and Tumblr bloggers. This may be the beginnings of an era of online feminism.
But not all activism is based online. Feminist activism in London is a big deal.
One of the biggest feminist networks is the London Feminist Network who organise the annual Reclaim The Night marches which is a protest against male violence. Their book group meets up every Thursday for a discussion at the Feminist Library on a particular books. They put together various feminist seminars (called "feminars") all around the city.
Sisters Uncut are a British feminist direct action group that is based in London. They have weekly meetings on Thursdays in North, South and East London and their demands are: more investment into domestic violence services, legal aid and safe and secure housing for women experiencing.
Such feminist organisations can be given the credit to influencing the government's recent decision to make sexual consent education a compulsory part of the national curriculum in PSHE lessons in secondary schools.
In the end, I think this sudden outburst shows the frustration young people are experiencing. Things are said to be getting better for women, but underneath all this positivity and progress, women are still one of the most vulnerable people in London. The feminists of the 21st century are our heroes and they are creating a better world for women.
Hilal Isik, City and Islington sixth form
