Feminist Activism

Abstract

Feminist activism is multiple and contested. Feminist activism promotes social, political, economic, or environmental change through the use of a various strategies, actions, or initiatives enacted within micro, mezzo, and macro contexts. Although feminist activism is frequently associated with visible social or political movements such as equal pay for equal work, LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/transsexual, queer) rights, or gender‐based violence prevention, Bhattacharjya et al. clarified how the mere participation of women in social movements cannot necessarily be equated with feminist activism; feminist activism differs from other forms of activism in the centrality of gender. Feminist activists, equated here with gender justice activists, have been instrumental in championing a strategic focus on gender justice, and a reinforcement of the significance of eradicating gender inequalities within social movements, thereby cultivating awareness of feminist concerns and priorities. Feminist activism is also concerned about the way in which gender is interconnected to other marginalized identities and the personal and political realities that ensue from those identities (i.e., race, sexual identity, ability, etc.).