Activism in favour of women’s rights and gender equality is part of the history of our cooperative movement.
The famous Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers in England, the leader of modern cooperativism, was also a pioneer in its time, allowing men and women to be members of that organisation right from the beginning.
In that group, the role of a woman activist is especially recognised, and opened the doors to transform the lives of many women, including the weaver Eliza Brierley. In March 1846, Eliza took action to become a full member of the Cooperative, at a time when women were « owned » by their father or husband, had no legal or civil rights and were excluded from equal economic participation in society.
Today, although there have been many achievements in the defence of women’s rights, history has not taken mercy on us for all the efforts and there is still a long way to go. From the cooperativism movement we must continue working to empower women and have their voices heard.