Feminism in Norway
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Feminism in Norway has its political origins in the movement for women's suffrage that was officially started in 1885, but can be traced back to earlier literary and historical sources.
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[edit] Historical views of women in Norway
Although men dominated the pantheon of kings, pretenders, and warriors in the Norse Kings' sagas, women often played essential roles. For example, Harald Fairhair's mother Ragnhild Sigurdsdotter foresees the rise of her son as a national leader. Similarly, in Norse mythology, female deities play pivotal roles in the unfolding of the cosmology and eschatology. The Oseberg find of a Viking ship was a funeral for a prominent pre-Christian woman, approximately 834 CE.
Whatever attitudes toward women were prevalent in pagan Norway, the country fell in line with mainstream patriarchical mores and practices from the 11th century onwards. From 1388 to 1412, Queen Margaret ruled Norway as part of the Kalmar Union, the only female regent of Norway to date.
[edit] Early pioneers
Women's issues were first articulated in the public sphere by Camilla Collett (1813-1895), widely considered the first Norwegian feminist. Originating from a literary family, she wrote a novel and several articles on the difficulties facing women of her time, and in particular forced marriages. But also Amalie Skram (1846-1905) gave voice to a woman's point of view with her naturalist writing.
Aasta Hansteen (1824-1908) wrote also of the spiritual worth of women and led a life in open opposition to the expectations of her time.
Henrik Ibsen's play A Doll's House in 1879 put women's rights in the public debate, in which the protagonist Nora leaves her husband, feeling undervalued and disrespected. Ibsen's portrayal in many of his plays broke with traditional stereotypes of the ideal woman.
The Norwegian Association for Women's Rights was founded in 1884 by Gina Krog and Hagbart Berner. The organization raised issues related to women's rights to education and economic self-determination, and above all, universal suffrage.
[edit] Suffrage
Womens right to vote was passed by law, 11 june 1913 by the Norwegian Parliament. Norway was the second country in Europe after Finland to have full suffrage for women.
[edit] Women's liberation
[edit] Contemporary issues
[edit] External links
- Norwegian Association for Women's Rights
- The Right to Vote, online exhibit
- Equal Rights Center
- Women's History Center
- The Women's Front
- Women's Group Ottar
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