Feminist Critique Research Articles

A implosão do autoritarismo e a construção do socialismo democrático: a oposição de Kirchheimer a Schmitt sob Weimar

This article proposes a reconstruction of the theoretical aspects of Otto Kirchheimer's opposition to Carl Schmitt, aiming to outline the way in which his confrontation with ascending authoritarianism, as well as his desire for social and economic transformation, distances him from Schmittian positions. It is argued that currents in literature that bring authors too close together end up neglecting the Marxist influence of Kirchheimer's analyses, especially in the critique of liberalism. To this end, the fundamental moment and thematic focus of this work are the texts written about and during the Weimar Constitution.

Estética depois de Adorno: entre progresso e autonomia

This article seeks to critically evaluate the reception of Theodor Adorno's aesthetics, considering two fundamental concepts: autonomy and progress. We will analyze how Adorno's work was associated with a one-sided perspective of modernism, insofar as his conception of autonomous art was supposedly based on technical progress. Our hypothesis is that this reception lost sight of the critique of progress sustained by Adorno's aesthetics. We therefore propose a different reading, recovering Adorno's critique of progress in order to articulate a notion of the autonomy of art that can contribute to recent debates on contemporary art.

The Arms Trade and the Transformation of Global Order: A Revitalized Research Agenda

Abstract The arms trade is central to the dynamics of violence, inequality, power, and global order, yet international relations (IR) has been surprisingly silent about its operation and its significance. This article makes the case for a revitalized research agenda that is better attuned to the dynamics of global (dis)order and (in)securities generated by the arms trade. I argue that most scholarly approaches to the arms trade and its control are stuck within the parameters of realist, liberal, and constructivist theories of IR that do not adequately explain, let alone critique, their role in the operation of power and maintenance of global order. Meanwhile, critical approaches to war, violence, and security have innovated on conceptual, theoretical, and methodological questions but have largely stopped paying empirical attention to the arms trade as a phenomenon. Drawing on feminist, postcolonial, and anti-colonial critiques, I advance a framework for understanding the dynamics and effects of the arms trade that centers on unevenly internationalizing arms capital operating in tandem with states’ geopolitical ambitions, the racialized and gendered relations of violence within and between states that grow out of the colonial encounter and resistance to it, and the uneven scale at which armed violence is generated, facilitated, and effected. I highlight five key themes for further research that cut across the domains of political economy, security and order, and across the phases of the production, circulation, use, effects, and control of weapons.

Evaluating the Role of International Humanitarian Law in Protecting Women and Girls from Sexual Violence in the Boko Haram Conflict in Northeast Nigeria

The Boko Haram conflict in Northeast Nigeria has caused widespread devastation, with women and girls disproportionately affected by sexual violence. This violence—including abductions, forced marriages, and sexual enslavement—has been well-documented as part of Boko Haram’s strategy to destabilize communities and instil fear according to Amnesty International, 2015. International Humanitarian Law establishes protections for civilians and vulnerable groups during armed conflicts. However, its enforcement in the Boko Haram insurgency, remains limited. Traditional international law frameworks have often been critiqued for their failure to fully account for the lived experiences of marginalized groups, particularly women, in conflict. A feminist approach challenges these traditional priorities by highlighting how gendered harms—are often inadequately addressed in legal discourse. I adopt a critical feminist methodology to critique the gendered dimensions of violence in the Boko Haram conflict and the limitations of IHL in addressing these harms. The feminist perspective argue that traditional legal frameworks often reinforce patriarchal structures, whereas feminist approaches seek to ensure that legal protections reflect the realities of women’s experiences in conflict. Furthermore, while feminist approaches to human rights advocate for more inclusive framework, they may also face challenges when engaging with deeply rooted cultural norms that resist interventions. I structure the paper in three key sections. The first section provides an overview of the Boko Haram insurgency and the forms of gender-based violence used as a weapon of war. The second section critically examines provisions of IHL and traditional human rights framework and evaluates their effectiveness in protecting women and girls in conflict zones through a feminist lens, it highlights the limitations of IHL and human rights in cultural contexts. The last section proposes solutions based on successful strategies implemented in similar conflict-affected regions. This paper will contribute to feminist approaches to international law to provide a more nuanced understanding of gendered harms in conflict and show that addressing sexual violence in conflict requires a gender-sensitive localized approach while navigating the cultural and legal complexities of conflict zones like Northeast Nigeria.

Making space for positionality stories in higher education: using embodied feminist and critical pedagogies in practice

ABSTRACT To reimagine criticality in higher education, we emphasise positionality in pedagogy. As educators, we argue there is value in critically engaging with who ‘we’ are, and why exposing our positionality is an important aspect of curating a learning environment based on critical feminist pedagogical principles. Positionality stories help students identify axes of power and contextualise learning with their indigenous knowing and with disciplinary learning. This allows educators to engage students in ‘principled resistance’ to neoliberal bureaucracies, who are set on commodifying the sector through destabilising opportunities in lieu of meeting targets. We argue education is the pursuit of transgressive learning that empowers students with skills and a mindset to transform their worlds beyond the classroom. These ideas have been rehearsed by critical, feminist pedagogues, and we extend the theory to consider how teachers also benefit from knowing each other and uniting in our commitment to transformation through education.

#GentleParenting: Critiquing the “fifth shift” of intensive mothering in the “pandemic afterlives”

#GentleParenting presents a novel trend in networked parenting communities. Its rise correlates with the COVID-19 pandemic, during which parents’ access to medical professionals decreased significantly. In this vacuum, a group of lay parenting experts arose and continues to gain influence. Through a mixed-method study that combines critical discourse analysis and contextual visual discourse analysis, this article analyzes a dataset and sample of posts compiled from TikTok and Instagram. My findings suggest that an epochal shift in parenting culture is taking place, involving a break with some of the fundamental tenets of the previously dominant parenting trend of intensive mothering. Informed by feminist critiques, my analysis of #GentleParenting explicates a concept I call the “fifth shift” to describe the additional burdens involved in online parenting. While #GentleParenting can be understood as positive in its efforts to allow parents to regain control over childrearing, it also poses some challenges, including its propagation of wealthy, White feminist presentations in digital networks, as well as its insistence on adding additional parenting labor. While empathy is resonant in #GentleParenting via satire, questions remain regarding the political effects of this community.

Pregnant and Homeless in the UK: A Qualitative Analysis of Maternal Experiences in Temporary Accommodation

ABSTRACTBackgroundIn the UK, families in temporary accommodation reached record numbers in 2023. Pregnant mothers experiencing homelessness are at risk of poor health outcomes, yet little is known about their experiences. Most biomedical research emphasizes obstetric outcomes rather than maternal experiences. Our study aimed to explore maternal experiences of pregnancy while living in temporary accommodation in the UK.MethodsUsing an interpretivist paradigm and critical feminist theory, we collected and analyzed semi‐structured interview narratives from pregnant and postnatal mothers experiencing homelessness. Interviews with key workers from relevant Third Sector Organisations provided complementary insights. Study planning included Patient and Public Involvement. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.ResultsFourteen mothers and six keyworkers were interviewed. Reflexive thematic analysis generated three themes. Theme one, Pregnant/postnatal bodies in unsafe spaces, described participants' experiences with unsafe accommodations, exposure to environmental hazards, and frequent moves which affected physical and mental health. In Undermining mothers, participants explained how the constant struggle to meet basic needs eroded opportunities to engage with caring roles and destabilized their sense of being “good” mothers. Together these contributed to pregnancy disengagement and feeling unprepared for birth. The third key theme, Feeling unseen in midwifery blind spots, describes barriers to accessing maternity services, as well as interactions with midwives that often reinforced feelings of being invisible.DiscussionLiving in temporary accommodations whilst pregnant negatively impacts physical, mental, and emotional well‐being. Improving care for pregnant mothers experiencing homelessness requires systemic change within housing and maternity services to acknowledge housing security as an essential need for pregnant and parenting mothers.

Gender Justice and Food Security in Cape Town, South Africa

The food and nutrition challenges in Cape Town are complex and reflect historical legacies of colonialism and apartheid as well as the impact of contemporary neoliberal policy leading to extremes in socio-economic status. The right to food is enshrined in the South African constitution, yet there is an intersection between food, gender and injustice that prevails in marginalised communities in Cape Town, which is regarded to be one of the most unequal cities in the world and facing great social vulnerability. Rapid urbanisation, climate change, intensity of droughts and flooding, land speculation and shrinking quotas for small-scale fishing put pressure on the city´s food system and reduce citizens access to nutritious food. A survey of 1 060 township households from 2011 showed that 80% of low-income households in Cape Town experience food insecurity. It is now acknowledged that COVID-19 exacerbated food insecurity, and that the city has high levels of poverty induced hunger and a lack of effective response from politicians. In the post-COVID period, and with the ongoing global crisis, food prices have escalated sharply, affecting those that are the most vulnerable. At the tail end of unjust food systems are women and children, and furthermore, women-headed households are in general more food insecure than male-headed. This paper contributes to an important issue in gender research, namely the intersection between gender justice and food security. The case study is carried out in a coastal community on the Cape Peninsula of the Western Cape, South Africa where a majority of the population experience food insecurity and frequent hunger. We explore how women in the community engage in activities that can contribute to improving food security, their motivation for taking action and for advocating for just and inclusive food systems. The study draws on a methodology of co-creation of knowledge, which is embedded in a critical feminist research tradition and that addresses the lived experiences of people in the community.

Genre-bending / Gender-bending: On the (Feminist) Social Contract

Abstract: Social contract narratives are genre-bending origin stories that blur the distinction between political theory and fiction. This article presents Monique Wittig’s theoretical and literary work as a genre-bending/gender-bending rendition of the social contract that repurposes its narrative structure for feminist ends. Informed by Sylvia Wynter’s generative notion of genre, I show that by centering on freedom rather than oppression, Wittig’s affirmation of the genre of contract represents a compelling and emancipatory alternative to feminist and critical race critiques. In doing so, I also explore the potential of reading political theory as a creative genre, and creative genres as political theory, and the implications for feminist political theorizing.

Navigating fragmented services: a gender-based violence (GBV) critical feminist analysis of women's experiences engaging with health and social supports in three Canadian cities.

Gender-based violence (GBV) remains a pervasive public health crisis with devastating impacts on women's health and well-being. Women experiencing GBV face considerable barriers accessing appropriate and timely health and social services. This study explored women's experiences with health and social services in three Canadian cities to understand critical challenges and strengths in service provision for women experiencing GBV. In-depth interviews were conducted with self-identifying women (n = 21) who had accessed health or social care services and with service providers (n = 25) in three Canadian cities between February 2021 and November 2022. Women's interviews focused on experiences engaging with services including what worked well, the challenges they faced, and their recommendations to enhance service delivery to women experiencing violence. Staff interviews focused on their experiences of providing services within their organization, and the strengths and challenges in providing services to women within their community. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis with a gender-based violence critical feminist lens. We organized the findings into three interrelated themes. First our results show how the systems within which health and social services are organized, are not designed to meet women's complex needs, with rigid structures, siloed services, and stigmatizing cultures creating significant barriers. Second, the data illustrate how service providers support and empower women through practices such as providing key information, assisting with administrative tasks, offering material resources, and addressing discrimination through advocacy and accompaniment. Third, our findings demonstrate how building an effective working relationship characterized by trust, non-judgment, and collaboration is crucial for service engagement and women's overall well-being. Findings illuminate critical public health challenges as women navigate fragmented services across multiple and siloed systems not designed to meet their complex needs. There is an urgent need for systemic change to create more integrated, responsive support systems for women experiencing GBV. This includes addressing underlying structures perpetuating gender inequities and violence. Facilitating safe access to holistic services that consider women's preferences is crucial. Effective working relationships built on trust, respect, and power-sharing are key to supporting women's agency and addressing their interconnected needs.

Hidden violence and silenced voices: Why have lessons about women in counterinsurgency not endured?

ABSTRACT This article offers a feminist critique to unearth the forgotten but extensive involvement of women in counterinsurgency campaigns. Using the colonial case-studies of Malaya and Kenya, this article argues that women have been excluded from the histories of these campaigns, and lessons left unlearned, because it has been inconvenient to the British Army and military history scholars to include them. By exploring original archival material from the British Red Cross, Women’s Institute, Maendeleo ya Wanawake, the East Africa Women’s League, and British military archives, the authors ask where the historical knowledge about women’s participation can be located in the archive.

Epistemological Transformation of the Paradigm of Literary Studies in the Context of the Integration of Digital Humanities Methods

The epistemological transformation of literary studies in the context of digital humanities and the post-humanities shift challenges traditional hermeneutic paradigms, requiring a fundamental reconsideration of literariness, authorship, and textuality. This article explores the impact of distant reading and computational methodologies on contemporary literary analysis, particularly within postcolonial and feminist criticism. By integrating large-scale textual analysis with AI-driven methods, distant reading unveils new historical, structural, and thematic patterns while simultaneously raising critical concerns regarding representation, data selection, and algorithmic biases. The study examines how digital humanities methodologies, such as sentiment analysis, topic modeling, and network analysis, reshape the interpretation of gender and race in literary history. Case studies demonstrate how AI-assisted literary analysis reveals structural imbalances in representation, while feminist and decolonial critiques highlight the ethical imperatives of corpus formation, algorithmic transparency, and epistemic inclusivity. The findings underscore the methodological and ideological tensions between computational literary studies and traditional close reading approaches, advocating for a hybrid model that integrates quantitative insights with hermeneutic depth.Ultimately, this article argues that digital methodologies not only expand the analytical scope of literary research but also redefine the epistemological foundations of the discipline. The intersection of distant reading with feminist and decolonial critique destabilizes canonical hierarchies, urging scholars to critically engage with the political dimensions of digital research. By foregrounding the ethical challenges of AI-driven analysis, this study contributes to ongoing debates on the future of literary studies in the digital age, advocating for a more inclusive, interdisciplinary, and critically reflexive approach to literary scholarship.

Unveiling Biases in Indonesia’s Online Media: Analyzing Sexual Violence Reporting in the Modern Era Through a Feminist Lens

This paper reveals the imbalance of Indonesia’s online media in reporting sexual violence. Content analysis showed a high number of violent events reported (119 news reports over three months), a tendency to favor authorities’ perspectives over victims/perpetrators, and motives oriented towards exploitation and warnings. Critical discourse analysis further unveiled subtle discursive strategies perpetuating systemic gender oppression: naturalized masculine presuppositions framing violence as deviations from a male norm; gendered nomination strategies depersonalizing women through roles like “girl”/”mother”; deflecting agency away from victims by prioritizing institutional voices; and intersectional marginalization compounding gender-based subjugations through intersections with class/ethnicity/geography. These findings significantly demonstrate continuing gender biases and patriarchal ideologies in sexual violence reporting across five major online media platforms in post-democratization Indonesia, despite their national reach and influence. The multi-modal analysis integrating content and discourse techniques provides empirical validation for feminist theoretical critiques while offering nuanced understandings to catalyze more equitable and victim-centered journalistic practices.

Ecofeminism as a Perspective of Studying 21st-Century Fantasy for Young Adults: Between Ecological Involvement and Postfeminist Paradigm

Abstract The article explores potential ecofeminist themes present in YA fantasy literature, represented by Donde los árboles cantan [Where the Trees Sing] by Laura Gallego, The Nature of Witches by Rachel Griffin (Griffin, The Nature of Witches, Sourcebooks. mobi, Naperville, 2021), and The Lone City trilogy by Ami Ewing (Ewing, The Jewel, HarperTeen, New York, 2014;Ewing, The White Rose, HarperTeen, New York, 2015;Ewing, The Black Key, HarperTeen, New York, 2016;). The author posits that, since fantasy books have become a popular reading choice among young people, they play a pivotal role in the transmission of sociocultural patterns and beliefs, including those regarding gender roles and the natural environment, and in an era marked by a growing environmental crisis, there is a pressing need to examine YA literature for its role in shaping ecological awareness. Bridging ecocriticism and feminist criticism, this article examines how femininity is constructed in YA fantasy literature through an ecofeminist lens. The first section outlines the theoretical framework of ecofeminism and ecofeminist literary criticism, and the second section briefly discusses postfeminism. The analysis presented reveals various strategies used in the literary narratives to weave in ecofeminist topics and messages. While all the novels examined imply the need to develop an ethics of care and empathy towards the natural environment and marginalised social groups, question the binary categories of human/non-human and nature/culture, and aim to redefine relationships between women and nature, they also reveal ideological tensions, referring to both ecofeminist postulates and reflections, as well as anthropocentric and falsely feminist convictions.

Studying Year 6 students’ perceptions of gender and their engagement in STEM within an Australian primary school

Abstract Gender stereotypes—and performances of femininity and masculinity—play a key role in how and why an individual engages in STEM education. Students’ perceptions of STEM have been carefully and consistently studied in high school and in tertiary education contexts, but to date there has been limited research examining students’ gendered perceptions of STEM at the primary school level. This small case study adopts a critical feminist approach and draws on classroom observations and semi-structured focus group interviews using photo-elicitation to foreground student voice. The aim of this research is to uncover how Year 6 students (n = 6) living and learning in Australia perceive STEM as a gendered discipline of study. Drawing on an inductive thematic analysis, we identified key differences between boys and girls which arguably have implications for their engagement in STEM. Our analysis foregrounds the role of (1) self-efficacy; (2) social pressures and performativity; and (3) pervasive gender norms, which all played a role in influencing students’ identities. We then consider the implications of these findings for educators. The article concludes with an examination of the limitations of the study as well as considerations for future research.

A Philosophical Liberal Critique of the Postmodern Definition of Social Justice in Social Work Education Competency Standards

ABSTRACT The purpose of this philosophical liberal critique of the 2022 Educational Policy andAccreditation Standards (EPAS) is to highlight the danger of using a single lens perspective in social work education in addressing discrimination, racism, inequality and other forms of injustices. A brief review of the concept of social justice illustrates how these standards, influenced by critical theories, a postmodern and nonscientific framework, changed how social justice is defined. The critique focuses on implications of moving away from universal human rights in defining social justice; the limiting impact of a single lens approach for rigorous investigation and knowledge development; how nonscientific approaches fail to correct confirmation bias; the authoritarian nature of critical theories, and some inherent problems of critical theory social justice ideology. Last, a recommendation is made that accreditation standards for social work should stay clear of from authoritarian frameworks that are prescriptive and intolerant of a diversity of ideas, even if a perspective is the “flavor of the day.”

Decentering Anglo-American Geography: theory development and “theorizing back” from an Asian perspective

ABSTRACT Despite the long history in postcolonial thought and feminist critiques inside and outside Geography recognizing the situatedness of our knowledges, we clearly need more than the deconstruction and critiques of Eurocentric texts and dominant Western theories. Deconstructing Orientalism and provincializing Europe are insufficient in their own right because we need new knowledges, both theoretical and empirical, from the more marginal or excluded regions of the world that not only can speak on behalf of these region(s), but also can be connected with – and exported back to – the global north. In this lecture paper, I focus on this epistemological process of decentering and theorizing back at Anglo-American Geography through reverse discourses that do not lose our sense of the geographical contexts and specificities of theory – Western or otherwise. Reflecting on my work in the co-development of the theory of global production networks, I explain how the key concept of “strategic coupling”, grounded in the transformative material realities of East Asia, has been conceived and deployed to theorize back at dominant conceptions of endogenous regional development in Western theories and to “speak back” to mainstream economic geography. Pushing further this reverse discourse of global economic geographies, I believe we can achieve much more intellectually through the comparative understandings of economic-geographical processes and outcomes across the world.

Hands towards the right: UK gender–critical feminism and right-wing coalitions

ABSTRACT This paper examines the link between UK gender–critical feminism and the right-wing political ideas and organizations that constitute as ‘anti-gender’. The paper first reflects on the origins of anti-trans feminism, paying particular attention to the decades between the 1970s and 1990s in the UK. Next, it addresses the re-emergence of UK trans-exclusionary politics over the past decade through gender–critical movements. Here, I consider the ways in which feminist writers and activists have mobilized against campaigns by trans people and aligned feminist communities for the de-pathologization of trans health care and against proposals to reform law and policy around gender recognition in the UK. The third section of the paper explores how, in recent years, gender–critical thinking has gained prominence within the UK’s political and media establishments. At this juncture, I call critical attention to the ways in which gender–critical thinking has become embedded in UK parliamentary politics. The final section of the paper addresses the alliances that have been drawn between a minority strand of UK feminism, far-right movements and sympathizers, Christian fundamentalism, and populist conservative media.

“The Conjuring”: Invisible Fear, Theology of Horror, and Traditional Values

This article reviews Kevin Wetmore Jr.’s book on the film “The Conjuring”, published in the “Devil’s Advocates” series. The author briefly outlines the academic historiography of the Conjuring universe and notes that Wetmore’s book is the most balanced study of the franchise. The book examines three of the film’s most frightening moments as examples of James Wan’s manipulation of the audience. The author of the article highlights the second chapter, which focuses on paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, as a particularly important part of the book. Wetmore places “The Conjuring” (2013) in the context of reality TV shows about paranormal investigations and explores the film’s representation of Catholicism and “bad witches”. While some critics have condemned the film for misogyny, the author argues that it actually presents a more positive representation of women than many feminist critics acknowledge. Additionally, the Conjuring universe is shown to celebrate traditional values, such as strong family bonds and classical social institutions. Wetmore also discusses the role of gaming in the franchise, the importance of female characters, and provides an overview of its sequels, prequels, and spin-offs. The author of the article considers Wetmore’s study to be a valuable, balanced, and useful contribution to horror studies, which often focus excessively on issues of race, gender, and similar themes.

Revisiting a choq pa bursting shargo (women: the miserable): Feminist critique in Balti folktale

This study examines the Balti folktale “Choqpa Bursting Shargo” through a feminist lens, focusing on the representation of female characters and their societal roles. The research aims to explore gender roles, major themes, and the portrayal of patriarchal structures in the narrative. It highlights the elements of oppression and the marginalization of women in a male-dominated society, drawing attention to the societal norms that perpetuate gender inequality. The study employs a qualitative approach, utilizing feminist literary criticism to analyse the folktale. The research is based on textual analysis, examining key themes and character interactions to reveal underlying patriarchal ideologies. The methodology involves identifying patterns of gender discrimination and assessing their implications within the broader socio-cultural framework. The analysis reveals that women in the folktale are subjected to systemic oppression and are often portrayed in subservient roles. The narrative reflects the realities of patriarchal norms, illustrating how female identity is suppressed and controlled. The concept of double marginalization is also explored, emphasizing how women face compounded oppression both as individuals and as a collective. In conclusion, the research underscores the significance of feminist readings of folklore in unveiling deep-seated gender biases. The study highlights the continued relevance of such tales in contemporary discussions on gender equality, advocating for a more inclusive and equitable representation of women in traditional narratives.