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The challenge for western feminism in the 21st century

January 14, 2016 By MsAfropolitan 7 Comments

feminist

Feminism in the west is failing. For one, the west has seen the smallest changes in closing the leadership gender gap. Latin America has fared best in this matter, but also voters in sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and the Caribbean have done better at electing women presidents and prime ministers.

Western women are not only being side stepped in leadership roles. From healthcare to the economy, a revivalism of old, patriarchal and conservative values and a backlash against women’s rights is taking place in political society. 

And yet western feminism, which used to be a serious political movement, has morphed into an easy target for a neopatriarchal system eager to convert it into a commercial rather than a political force, as indeed has been the case. Thanks to cultural gains, it may look like western feminism is ‘winning’, but what really is being achieved is the commercialisation of feminism into a patriarchal low-budget product. 

By western feminism, by the way, I include in this instance also women of colour feminisms in the west. To this measure, to the extent that western feminism remains a political ideology and not a gimmick, its political strength lies in identity politics and not, as one would desperately hope, in ideological politics. Ideological politics would see feminism being used as a political tool to discredit patriarchy as a primitive social system with no place in twenty-first century democracies, much like abolitionists discredited slavery as a primitive social system in the seventeenth century.

Why a failing western feminism matters?

For reasons beyond our present-day control, the west is the world region that has accumulated the most economic, cultural and political influence. This “columbusing” applies to global social justice movements as well, unfortunately. Thus, if western feminism does not take its gaze out of its own navel and influence the movement with a re-politicised energy we will all loose. To be clear, I wish we weren’t dependent on western feminism getting it right. (I also wish for world peace but I’m not holding my breath.)

What I am arguing, is that western feminism needs to become global-minded. Why? Because patriarchy and its oppressive systems are global. There’s no point in shutting down ‘Patriarchy HQ’ while its other branches remain active. In an inter-connected world where organisations such as the EU, UN, IMF etc. impact women’s lives, as well as one where for-profit corporations like Apple or Coca-Cola affect issues such as child labour, unemployment and the environment, all feminists truly need to engage with the bigger picture. 

Looking to Africa

I could equally say look to Asia, South America or the Middle East but as I am the most familiar with African feminism, let me share what western feminism can learn from Africa. 

Throughout modern history, women in Africa have had to tackle both western domination as well as male domination.  The link between women’s- and anticolonial struggles in Africa, means that African feminism has always been unavoidably political in tone. Western feminists can learn from the African feminist movement’s emphasis on political life.

To give an example, German feminists could right now learn from the Egyptian feminist struggle post sexual attacks in Tahrir square demanding that their calls for state protection and punishment for perpetrators is heard in mainstream media. Instead, the sexual attacks that took place in Cologne on New Year’s Eve is turning predominantly into an issue of immigration, with sexual violence as a “side consequence”.

Western feminism does not need to start from scratch. It can take heed from the 1960s and 1970s when it experienced a moment of unprecedented success. Make no mistake, the reason 1960s and 1970s western feminism was successful was because it was inspired by international feminisms. In fact the phrase women’s “liberation” originates in third world liberation struggles in countries such as Chile, Cuba, Japan, Angola, Guinea-Bissau and Brazil to name a few. Second wave feminist achievements also owe much to African-American, Latin-American, Asian-American and American Indian feminist and black power revolutions.

To reinvoke the political and global spirit of that era, with all the added lessons of hindsight, is the great challenge for 21st century western feminism.

(This article will be followed up with ‘The great challenge for 21st century African feminism’)

Image is Etsy // annamckaydesign. Buy it here. 

Filed Under: feminism Tagged With: gallery

Comments

  1. Graham Askey says

    January 15, 2016 at 6:30 am

    I entirely agree with the need to engage with the bigger picture as I feel we (as feminists, environmentalists, anti war and social justice campaigners etc) are up against such a powerful institutionalised monster that we need to redefine the very model of society to combat it and inspire others to help change it. Attempts such as the World Social Forum and “we are the 99%” seem to have aimed at this without creating sufficient momentum. I have the impression that without some kind of banner, slogan or movement we can all unite under (with all the inevitable limitations and compromises that implies ) we will only ever be winning the occasional skirmish at best whilst losing the war entirely.

    Reply
  2. Gry Tina Tinde says

    January 15, 2016 at 9:43 am

    Brilliant post

    Reply
  3. Lady Saba says

    January 15, 2016 at 5:36 pm

    Thank you Minna for properly adressing this subject.Western feminists didn´t invent Feminism they just Re-invented it with a great support of many women and men of other ethnicities but now they´re distanced from the “rest”. I think western feminists need to seriously check themselves and their total lack of global sisterhood.

    Reply
  4. ทางเข้าเล่น joker says

    December 26, 2022 at 1:54 am

    Thanks so much for the article.Really thank you! Keep writing.

    Reply
  5. 토토사이트순위 says

    May 2, 2022 at 3:07 am

    Hello, I am one of the most impressed people in your article. 토토사이트순위 I’m very curious about how you write such a good article. Are you an expert on this subject? I think so. Thank you again for allowing me to read these posts, and have a nice day today. Thank you.

    Reply

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Feminism. Africa. Popular Culture. Social Criticism.

Hi! I'm Minna Salami, I'm a Nigerian-Finnish and Swedish writer and social critic, and the founder of the multiple award-winning blog, MsAfropolitan, which connects feminism with critical reflections on contemporary culture from an Africa-centred perspective. As a lecturer and keynote speaker, I have spoken at over 300 universities, cultural events and conferences, on five continents. I am the author of "Sensuous Knowledge: A Black Feminist Approach for Everyone - a collection of thought provoking essays that explore questions central to how we see ourselves, our history, and our world." (Harper Collins US) Read full bio

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