Why do liberal feminists support reproductive rights and equal economic opportunities?

Liberal feminists support reproductive rights and equal economic opportunities because they apply the core liberal values of freedom and equality to address women’s concerns. By identifying how gender discrimination and unequal social roles—often reinforced by upbringing—defeat women’s aspirations, they advocate for reforms that make equality a social and political reality.1

These feminists emphasize that protecting and extending specific rights is essential for women to pursue self-chosen goals. Reproductive rights, such as the right to legally obtain an abortion, are viewed as fundamental to this autonomy. Similarly, they champion full educational and economic opportunities to dismantle the historical barriers that have barred women from professions and prevented them from participating fully in public life. Ultimately, liberal feminists argue that these rights are necessary to ensure that women are not restricted by their gender and can exercise the same liberty and agency as men.123