The French Revolution, renowned for its transformative revolutionary politics and societal impact, initiated substantial changes in the pursuit of liberty and equality. While the revolution is often celebrated for its achievements, like the abolition of the absolute monarchy and the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen in 1789, the same efforts did not extend to women’s rights.
So, what did the French Revolution achieve for women’s rights? In short, not a whole lot. The limited strides made in favour of women during this period, such as the right to divorce granted in 1792, were short-lived. Subsequent legal developments, like the Code Napoléon in 1804, retracted these gains, leaving women in a position with even fewer rights than children.
Though women were confined to the private sphere during the early French Revolution, there were some pioneering individuals who challenged gender boundaries. In particular, Olympe de Gouges, born Marie Gouze into the merchant class, emerged as a beacon of resilience by radically transforming her identity to secure a foothold in the public sphere.
Reinventing herself with an aristocratic name and a fabricated lineage as the illegitimate daughter of a playwright, de Gouges strategically entered the public sphere, utilising literature and theatre as platforms to engage with democratic and revolutionary thought.
Having successfully established her new identity, Olympe de Gouges wrote the Declaration of the Rights of Women and of the Female Citizen in 1791. Addressed to Queen Marie Antoinette, the declaration advocated for women’s rights in liberty, property, security, freedom of speech and press, political participation, and resistance to oppression. Her declaration, modelled on the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, utilises the same seventeen articles but replaces the word ‘man’ with ‘woman’. In doing this, de Gouges underscores the inherent equality of women and challenges the prevailing norms that had relegated women to a subordinate status. This act has been considered a bold and unprecedented move, positioning de Gouges as an exemplary figure in the discourse surrounding gender equality during the French Revolution.
While de Gouges’ efforts had limited impact on revolutionary policy, her Declaration of the Rights of Women and of the Female Citizen stands as a powerful testament to the struggle for gender equality in the early French Revolution. Unfortunately, de Gouges paid the ultimate price for her convictions and was executed by guillotine in 1793 for being labelled an unnatural woman. Nevertheless, her legacy persists as a reminder of the formidable struggles faced by those who were challenging societal norms and advocating for women’s rights during this pivotal period in French history.
By Kaylee Mountford