“I myself have never been able to find out precisely what feminism is. I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a doormat or a prostitute.” Eloquently put by Rebecca West in 1913. But just how far have we come? What is the future of the Women's Movement? 2020 Member Caitlin Doyle takes a look…

• 1960 - FDA first approves the birth control pill for clinical use.
• 2006 – Women’s requests to fill prescriptions for the pill can be met with lectures on morality and pharmacists' refusal to fill prescriptions.

• 1973 - Supreme Court passes a ruling legalizing abortion.
• March 7, 2006 - the day before International Women's Day – Governor of South Dakota signs bill for near blanket ban on abortion, inc. cases of rape and incest

The Women's Movement seems to have come a long way. The pay gap is narrowing (though blatantly still in existence). Women can now work and raise a family (though work-life balance trials continue to exhaust women far more than men in countless national polls).

We can vote, we can work, we can raise families, and we can stand up and say what we believe in. But the chances of those views being heard is in harrowing decline. You may feel it’s the pendulum swinging back; women discovering empowerment through pole-dancing classes and a domestic-bliss renaissance; or the good old growth of the religious Right. But it’s 2006, and whatever the reason, all is not well in the world of the women’s movement. It can still all be taken away if we sit pretty and do nothing.

So this International Women's Day, take a stand for what you believe in and make sure that your voice is heard. Use your abilities and your talents to make a difference—not just for women, but for the men and children whose lives are directly affected by them. Make a quilt for a local women's refuge, donate money to Amnesty International to help build resources for women, read "The Paperbag Princess" to your sons and daughters or surprise your grannie with a visit and a hug. Little steps can make a big difference.

Resources
National Organization for Women
Working to bring about equality for all women and promote justice.

Human Rights Watch - Women's Rights
Dedicated to upholding the human rights of people worldwide. Find out how you can donate, join the mailing list or help.

NARAL – National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League

Amnesty International
Working towards human rights worldwide.

Caitlin Doyle is a children's book editor at Kingfisher Publishing. She holds a M.Phil in Women's Studies from Trinity College and a Masters in English and Social Anthropology from the University of St. Andrews.