Queen victoria : her impact on women's rights and british feminism

Abstract EN

The Victorian era, the period corresponding to Queen Victoria's reign (1837– 1901), was characterized by important reforms and catalyst changes in gender relations.

The aim of this paper is to shed light on the main social codes that kept the Victorian woman in a constant subordinate position.

It explores the feminists' efforts to change women's status from a second- class citizen to a citizen with equal rights and mainly the right to vote.

It suggests that Queen Victoria had an important impact on some feminists and that she played a remarkable role in improving women's status in Britain.

In so doing, some interesting questions are raised: for example, how could the Queen, who was known for being very conservative, inspire some feminists in their struggle for women's social and political rights? Did she support or reject feminism? Finally, what did the Queen do to help improve the position of the women of her era?