(i) The real filip for women's emancipation in the western world came from the rise of labour and socialist movements which spoke for all oppressed, and called for the transformation of the whole society along lines that would ensure equality for all, including women. Women saw this as more realistic.

(ii) Women formed a good percentage of union members and also of socialist organisations, although they were not so visible in leadership roles.

(iii) It was not easy for women to assert equality even in these organisations, and demands for equal pay came only when women or enlightened socialist leaderships stressed on it.

(iv) Rosa Luxemburg and Beatrice Webb were celebrated socialist leaders, Colette and Selma Lagerlof were important writers, and women were already participating in tennis tournaments like Wimbledon, French and US Open in the early twentieth century.

(v) Women took up journalism and photography as professionals, and became doctors and engineers. Soviet Union had a large percentage of women in its mass organisations and in the central parliament, and in scientific establishments.

(vi) In Russia the working class movement had a significant component of women, and peasant women were part of the general revolutionary movement.

(vii) In Russia and in the anti-colonial movements they found a much more favourable environment for mass participation.

(viii) In countries like India and China, questions of women's education, and opposition to backward social practices were part and parcel of the national liberation struggles, and both men and women expressed them very boldly, with the result that in India and China women won their vote as free citizens along with men. The same was true for women in Russia after the Russian Revolution of 1917.