Feminist Theory Research Articles

Working the Paradox with Dorothy Smith

In this reflective account, I revisit my geopolitical location, earlier life and career, and academic journey using the ideas of feminist theorist Dorothy Smith as an interpretive frame. Her theorizing and methodology have been transformative, particularly in relation to gaining insight into a paradox. In order to undertake community-engaged research, poorly recognized by traditional academic expectations of scholarship, I had to find a way to survive within the very institution that devalued this approach. Smith’s conceptual contributions, particularly her regard for women as subjects (not objects) and experts of their lives, encouraged me to undertake this reflection. And her theorizing of how women’s local everyday experiences are connected to complex relations of ruling have brought me new insights. While I had no direct connection with Smith, I experience her passions and ideas as a form of feminist solidarity.

Gender Bias in AI

This work analyzes the gendered bias inherent in burgeoning Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems. Drawing from feminist scholarship on algorithmic bias, it argues that AI development reflects and amplifies existing patriarchal structures. The analysis highlights how AI applications, from chatbots reinforcing gendered stereotypes to art generators perpetuating a white male gaze, threaten to exacerbate social inequities

Surfacing Harmful Speech Against Women—Proposals for Gender-Sensitive Fact-Finding and Interpretation in International Criminal Law

Abstract This article identifies how, and to what extent, harmful speech, such as, gender-based incitement and threats against women, are addressed in international criminal law and practice. It delves into the jurisprudence on direct and public incitement to genocide, genocide and persecution, a crime against humanity, to identify trends. Finding that the law overlooks the issue and that the practice only marginally refers to it, the article resorts to international human rights law as an interpretative aid and to fill the gaps. In this regard, inspired by feminist theories, it proposes interpretative methods that can be applied by judges to surface, fairly label and ultimately sanction harmful speech targeted at women. As such, this article contributes to the doctrinal discourse on what gendered crimes are, and what gender-sensitive judging in international courts should look like.

Changing the Frame: New Epistemic Frameworks and Social Transformation in African Feminist Theory

Abstract This article discusses African feminist approaches to decolonization and social transformation. In recent years, there has been a significant shift in African feminist scholarship towards African concerns and Africa-centered solutions. Today’s turn to Indigenous knowledge, social structures, and gender relations is no longer just about shedding light on the precolonial past, but about fundamentally changing the epistemic framework in the sense of developing alternative epistemologies beyond the dominant ‘Western’ framework. But what is meant by ‘alternative epistemologies’? How do African feminist thinkers conceptualize social change today? And how do they relate epistemic and social change in their thinking? These questions are explored in this article, focusing on work by Sylvia Tamale (Uganda), Wangari Maathai (Kenya), and Anthonia Kalu (Nigeria) and drawing on the discourse of ecofeminism and Ubuntu as two models of alternative epistemologies.

The Pink World of Prudence Flint

Prudence Flint is a female painter living and working in Melbourne, whose paintings are characterized by extremely bright pastel shades and slightly exaggerated female nudes. The gentle serenity that is unique to women from a female perspective is brought out in her images. She portrays ordinary women in a variety of interior spaces, showing the beauty of their bodies deliberately reshaped and sculpted, while the backgrounds are rendered with transcendent simplicity and comforting colors. This paper takes several key works of Flint's since her career and her oral interviews as references and explores how Flint's attitude towards patriarchal society is expressed through the manifestation of "femininity" in her paintings, in combination with the theories related to Western dualism and feminist thinking.

Embodied spatiality: mapping gendered exclusion and women’s embodied right to the city in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

This study addresses the critical research inquiry surrounding the persistence of gendered urban inequalities and the subsequent exclusion of women in urban settings within the broader context of gender, spatiality, and embodiment. Using feminist geographical theory and informed by Henri Lefebvre’s concept of the right to the city, the study investigates how the spatial characteristics of public spaces, along with underlying gendered dynamics, engender discriminatory and exclusionary practices that restrict women’s right to the city and public lived space. The study collected data through a questionnaire, in-depth interviews, and a mapping exercise utilising open-access Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software. The participants were 166 individuals from the historically racially segregated areas of Umlazi, Chatsworth, and Durban Central in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The findings reveal women’s negative experiences and perceptions of the risk of victimisation, which stem from a form of ‘self-imposed exclusion’ from public spaces, thereby limiting their overall right to the city. The study also highlights the intersecting hierarchies of race, gender, age, and nationality that (re)produce intersectional exclusions, contributing to multiple barriers to access. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that women’s exclusion from public spaces and their limited rights to the city results from a complex interplay between embodied ‘self-imposed’ exclusions, intersectional dynamics, and spatial constraints, which collectively infringe their embodied right to the city.

Kedudukan Perempuan dalam Upacara Adat Perkawinan Orang Tolaki di Desa Mendikonu Kecamatan Amonggedo Kabupaten Konawe

This study explores the role of women in the Tolaki traditional marriage ceremony and the perspectives of men and women on this role. The research adopts a qualitative descriptive method and draws on socialist feminism theory. The findings reveal that women play a crucial role in various stages of the marriage customs. For instance, during the Mondutudu or proposal stage, the mother of the male/female side accompanies the family during the proposal. After the proposal, the bride-to-be is guided by a Tono Motuo or Female Traditional Leader, often the grandmother, who provides valuable advice for the future household. Additionally, women play a central role during the engagement ceremony, as they arrange for the treat of sekapur sirih Kalo Sara. The male party presents this treat through the Pabitara, which is then received by the woman. These customs highlight the important role women have in the Tolaki traditional marriage ceremony.

Pengaruh Penggunaan Make Up Wajah Masa Kini Terhadap Tingkat Kepercayaan Diri Pada Kalangan Mahasiswi Universitas Jember

Make up is a necessity for women to be able to appear beautiful in social life. Then make up becomes an inseparable aspect of her daily life. By using make-up, women in particular can be more confident in the belief that make-up is a tool for managing good impressions from other people. The purpose of this research is to find out what women do with the use of make-up to be able to receive all good impressions from the public and then how make-up makes them dependent and obsessed with being able to beautify themselves continuously. The method used is a qualitative method, data collection through in-depth interviews, observation and documentation. The data analysis techniques used are data collection, data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions. This research uses the theory of object feminism from Julia Kristeva. The results of the research show that Jember University students who use make-up have reasons to get an impression from the general public in order to gain an image as a beautiful woman. This happens because of the rejection and discarding of the past that the perpetrators received because they were deemed not to meet existing beauty standards. So that it makes them take action to prove their position so that they can be accepted again and even get a perfect impression.

The femme factor: Transforming pop culture analyses through femme theory

Scanning the indices of popular culture textbooks reveals an asymmetry: numerous entries on masculinities but not a single femininities entry. What does this asymmetry say about gender theory and, more specifically, femininity? While feminist theorists have produced important scholarship illuminating femininity as a patriarchal tool wielded through popular culture, these analyses often overlook how various axes of identity intersect with femininity, leaving a sizeable gap in both the conceptualization of femininity and the analysis of popular culture. This article examines how femme theory can help to both highlight and remedy gender theory’s tendency to privilege masculinity and overlook femininity. After providing an overview of femme theory and its core theoretical concepts, this article highlights femme theory’s utility in enriching our interpretations of representation.

The Taming of the Shrews

The important question of William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew ‒ or how and with what means one can tame an unbridled, sharp-tongued woman who contradicts every word one utters ‒ has been keeping thousands of men occupied for centuries now. Hence, the main topic of this study will be based on an in-depth comparison of shrew taming in Shakespeare’s famous play The Taming of the Shrew and its adaptation, Gil Junger’s successful film, 10 Things I Hate About You. In this study, I will scrutinize how the early modern and modern man tried to make a woman obey, besides, how advanced feminist thinkers judged these so-called taming methods used by the male protagonists.

CROSS-DRESSING IN CONTEMPORARY BRITISH FEMINIST THEATRE

Sex and gender are two concepts that are often unconsciously used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings. They are crucial in understanding the gender hierarchy or the distinction between man and woman created by the patriarchal order. While sex refers to a biological difference or an innate existence based on signs such as chromosomes and genitals, gender is a socio-cultural identity subsequently acquired through a social interaction. While the biology-oriented approach reduces femininity and masculinity to the body based on an essentialist approach, the socio-culture oriented approach underlines that femininity and masculinity are culturally constructed, fluid, and changeable. The gender roles assigned to man and woman in the patriarchal society bring along certain expectations based their sexes and their society’s values and beliefs about gender. The fact that both woman and man are expected to wear appropriate dresses for their gender roles is the reflection of this expectation. When a man wears clothing traditionally associated with women or when a woman wears clothing traditionally associated with men, they might face ridicule or criticism because these clothing choices challenge established gender norms, and because the clothes are reminders of roles, symbols that favour social roles. Contrary to this, cross-dressing is described as an act of wearing clothing and accessories that belong to the opposite sex, and it is possible to see its examples as a deconstructive strategy in contemporary British feminist theatre. This article aims at discussing the functions of cross-dressing as a body memory in contemporary British feminist theatre over selected plays such as Caryl Churchill’s Cloud Nine (1979) and Top Girls (1982), Timberlake Wertenbaker’s New Anatomies (1984), and Moira Buffini’s Silence (1999).

Understanding The Lived Experiences of Black Female College Athletes and Factors that Influence their Anxiety.

To inform the development of culturally and socially appropriate interventions, this study examined the lived experiences of Black female college athletes (BFCA) and identified sources that increase their vulnerability to anxiety. Black Feminist Thought, with sub-tenets of intersectionality and outsider within status, was used as the theoretical foundation to examine the lives of the BFCA. Using an interpretative phenomenological approach, this qualitative study addressed the question: What sociocultural factors affect anxiety in Black female college athletes? Nine Black female college athletes from an NCAA Division I program agreed to participate in this study. Regarding the sources of anxiety, four themes emerged: regimented schedule (subthemes: lack of freedom, decreased choices, and external locus), forced community (subthemes: isolation and team conflict), emphasis on athletics (subthemes: coaching pressures, training pressures, and academic pressures) and navigating marginalization (subthemes: gender & racial stereotypes and gender & racial inequality). Two unexpected themes also materialized: family support and suggested solutions (subthemes: representation and communication). The findings and analysis were based on the data collected and the theoretical lens. The results suggest the need for culturally appropriate interventions to support this specific college athlete population.

Gender in (dis)order: masturbatory emancipation in Peaches’s ‘Whose Jizz is This?’

The first solo exhibition by the musician Peaches, Whose Jizz is This? at Kunstverein, Hamburg, in 2019, centred on a group of ‘double masturbator’ sex toys, which reduce the female body to two openings: a vagina and a mouth. In Peaches’s narrative, these bodily surrogates break free from their enslavement and claim a self-determined life of their own. In her article, Wagner examines the exhibition through an art-historical and queer feminist lens in order to evaluate its contribution to feminist and posthumanist theories.

Persepsi Mahasiswa Terhadap Isu Kesetaraan Gender di Lingkungan Kampus UIN Suska Riau

Gender equality is a condition where men and women are equal in fulfilling rights and policies. Gender equality is related to equal pay in work, zero tolerance for sexual harassment, equal opportunities in education, both men and women get the same position in work. Gender equality is also related to socialist feminist theory, where the thinking is related to the sharpening of oppression in the capitalist and patriarchal systems which cause social oppression. The aim of this research is to determine the perceptions of students at the Sultan Syarif Kasim Riau Islamic University regarding the issue of gender equality in education. The method used is a qualitative. The data collection techniques used were questionnaires, interviews, literature. The results of this research indicate that students at the Sultan Syarif Kasim Riau Islamic University are in the circle of gender equality in education.

‘It was horrible to watch, horrible to be a part of’: Midwives’ perspectives of obstetric violence

BackgroundObstetric violence, including unconsented interventions, coercion and disrespect, violates human rights; impacting the physical and psychosocial health of women. The perspective and experience of midwives related to obstetric violence have been explored in low and middle-income countries, with limited research into the experience of midwives in high income nations. AimTo explore Australian midwives’ perspectives of obstetric violence. MethodsThematic analysis of qualitative in-depth interviews with 15 midwives experienced in supporting women during birth. Critical feminist theory underpinned each stage of the research. FindingsInterviews with 15 Australian midwives from diverse care settings were analysed thematically. Four key themes were developed from the data: ‘the operationalisation of obstetric violence’, ‘the impact of obstetric violence’ ‘the historical and situational context’ and ‘hope for the future’. Midwives considered entrenched patriarchal structures and gender inequity as fundamental to the occurrence of obstetric violence. This societal scaffold is intensified within health care systems where power imbalances facilitate maternal mistreatment through coercion and grooming women for compliance in the antenatal period. Fragmented care models expose women to mistreatment with continuity models being protective only to a point. Midwives experience their own trauma, as a result of what they have witnessed, and due to the lack of support they receive when advocating for women. ConclusionsObstetric violence occurs in Australian maternity systems with unconsented interventions, overmedicalisation, coercion, and disrespect observed by midwives. Care-related trauma impacts on the mental health of midwives, raising workforce concerns for policy makers, consumer advocates and professional bodies.

Where is Palestine in Critical Terrorism Studies? A roundtable conversation

ABSTRACT Our ethical responsibilities as researchers within or related to the study of “terrorism” could not be clearer than in moments when the “terrorism” label is used to justify mass killing and destruction. The state of Israel has relentlessly continued to bombard Gaza since 7 October 2023 and, with the support of Western nations, built consensus around framing all Palestinians as (potential) terrorists. In light of the horrors that the world is witnessing today, and the lack of engagement with Palestine in Critical Terrorism Studies research, we ask, how does – and should - Palestine feature in Critical Terrorism Studies scholarship? How can we, as researchers and educators, facilitate deeper conversations that challenge hegemonic and racist framings of “terrorism”? This roundtable discussion brings critical, anti-colonial, anti-racist, feminist, and queer scholars together to discuss 1) the exclusion of Palestine from the critical study of “terrorism” and 2) the significance of the Palestinian struggle for liberation for all researchers invested in the critical study of “terrorism”. We call for more serious engagement with Palestine and acknowledge that such a call is inseparable from a commitment to anti-colonial scholarship and activism. 1

From Empowerment to Suppression: Examining Gender Dynamics through Material Feminist Lens in A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khalid Hosseini

This study investigates Khaled Hosseini's novel A Thousand Splendid Suns (2007) utilizing materialist feminism theory by Alaimo and Hekman (2008) with Nancy Fraser's Distribution justice theory. It aims to unfold how material developments or changes give rise to new gender roles within the narrative of this novel. Employing materialist feminism, the study sheds light on the oppression and subjugation of women in society, as depicted through the characters Mariam and Laila. According to the researcher’s stance, this novel delves into the experiences of women in a country undergoing socio-political transformations. So, the societal impact of these new gender roles brought about by social change is examined in this article with a proposition that the material development of Afghanistan has revesed the role of women within its community due to the political transformation. For this purpose, the study has used an intricate interplay between gender and power within the novel, employing materialist feminism theory to elucidate the lives of its female characters and protagonists amidst the backdrop of political turmoil in Afghanistan. Its significance lies in understanding how social, political, and economic factors affect gender in underdeveloped countries due to its geopolitical reality. The study elucidates how material conditions shape the experiences of Mariam and Laila and underscores the impact of economic circumstances on gender-based oppression. By scrutinizing women's access to resources and opportunities, the research concludes that social, economic, and political factors contribute to gender-based inequalities. Ultimately, this study advocates for a comprehensive understanding of women's struggles and challenges, emphasizing the need for societal change to address gender-based issues.

What’s a Black feminist doing in a field like special education?

ABSTRACT Special educators are increasingly drawing from intersectionality and Black feminist theory to make sense of the disproportionate deleterious outcomes experienced by racialized students labeled with disabilities. While intersectionality gains a stronger hold in special education discourse, agencies like the Florida Department of Education are misrepresenting Black feminist theory and intersectionality as “ranking people” based on their social identities. Audre Lorde—a member of The Combahee River Collective credited for generating an intersectional shift in feminist discourse—called on the creative use of difference to push back on the marginalization of multiply-marginalized women. Lorde asserted that explicitly attending to the diversity within human experiences challenges harmful attitudes that frame differences as markers of inferiority, deviance, or failure. In this article, I draw from Black feminism and Audre Lorde’s theorizing about difference to present a framework for educators who advocate for specialized education programming that affirm student differences.

THE IMPACT OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE ON FEMALES’ ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AT TERTIARY LEVEL

This study examines the pervasive issue of sexual violence (SV) experienced by millions of women globally, with a focus on its profound impact on the academic performance of female university students. Through 10 in-depth interviews with survivors in Islamabad's public universities, data was collected using an online questionnaire. Drawing on feminist theory, the research underscores the societal construct of gender inequality affecting women's lives. Major themes identified include challenges in concentration, emotional distress from abuse, reporting difficulties, the need for university counseling, and the importance of institutional policies. Respondents expressed how SV hindered educational focus and caused discomfort, fear, absenteeism, and reduced academic participation. Recommendations stress the necessity for qualified counselors and proactive university policies to create a secure learning environment, emphasizing the crucial role of educational institutions in preventing and addressing sexual violence.

Intersectional praxis for social-ecological transformations: Lessons from North Macedonia's grassroots Green Deal

Intersectional praxis - the practical application of intersectional theorizing into action - can be highly relevant for pursuing social-ecological transformations. Yet, we know little about the benefits and challenges of trying to mobilize such praxis for pursuing transformations. In this contribution to critical feminist and political ecology scholarship, we explore this gap empirically through a case study of producing a grassroots Green Deal in North Macedonia in which intersectional theory principles were employed in a process of collective visioning and grassroots organizing around that endeavor. To identify benefits and challenges related to this process, we inquire into the documents produced and the experience of organizers coordinating and catalyzing those efforts. We find that the benefits of enacting intersectional praxis relate to strategizing and mobilizing, collective action, and intersectional solidarity building. Challenges faced included fears concerning the unfamiliarity with the concept of intersectionality, and issues related to the capacity of individuals from subaltern groups to participate in collective visioning processes under conditions of precarious existence. We conclude that grassroots organizing around the Green Deal framework could have a potential to address some critiques of mainstream Green Deals, shift narratives of socio-ecological transformations (SETs), unite different movements working towards climate and social justice, and mobilize people power under an umbrella framework that dominates the policy arena, such as the Green Deal.