Question

Compare the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen with the Declaration of the Rights of Woman and the Female Citizen , as given in the text. Did Olympe de Gouges simply add the word women to the original declaration, or did she substantially change the meaning of the concept of citizenship in her declaration? Did she speak from the traditions of the Enlightenment, or did she challenge those traditions?

Answer 1

No, Olympes de Gouges did not just add the word 'women' to the original declaration. She substantially changed the meaning of female citizenship in her declaration such that she moved for all women to recognize and claim their 'lost' rights in the current misogynistic era and that women have equal and natural rights as enjoyed by men. Although the Enlightenment speak of inalienable rights, the gender inequality of that time made Olympes question how ironic it was that the assumption of these natural rights aren't exercised by everybody - regardless of sexual roles and differences.