TOPIC

CONTRIBUTIONS OF FEMINIST THEORY TO WOMEN

EMANCIPATION
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................1
UNDERSTANDING OF FEMINIST THEORY.......................................................................1
CRITIQUE OF THE FEMINIST THEORY..............................................................................2
CONTRIBUTIONS OF FEMINIST THEORY TO THE EMANCIPATION OF WOMEN....3
CONCLUSION..........................................................................................................................5
BIBLIOGRAPHY......................................................................................................................6
 INTRODUCTION
The term ‘feminism’ has many different uses and its meanings are often contested. For
example, some writers use the term ‘feminism’ to refer to a historically specific political
movement in the US and Europe; other writers use it to refer to the belief that there are
injustices against women, though there is no consensus on the exact list of these injustices.
Although the term “feminism” has a history in English linked with women's activism from
the late 19th century to the present, it is useful to distinguish feminist ideas or beliefs from
feminist political movements, for even in periods where there has been no significant political
activism around women's subordination, individuals have been concerned with and theorized
about justice for women (Tuana 1994). This paper is to give the analysis of the feminist
theory and its contribution to the emancipation of women.

UNDERSTANDING OF FEMINIST THEORY

Feminist theories are varied and diverse. All analyze women's experiences of gender
subordination, the roots of women's oppression, how gender inequality is perpetuated, and
offer differing remedies for gender inequality. These can be classified in the following
classes;

Liberal feminism argues women's unequal access to legal, social, political and
economic institutions causes women's oppression. Marxist feminist debates widen coalitional
possibilities for liberation through analyses of who faces the greatest impacts of capitalist
brutality. An intersectional socialist feminist politics does not dismiss race, caste, religion, or
sexuality as distractions to the centrality/unity of the proletariat in class politics. Their
remedy advocates women’s equal legal rights and participation in the public spheres of
education, politics, and employment (Gibson, 1986).
Radical feminism claims women's oppression originates in sexuality. They argue
women's bodies are controlled through violence, objectification, and social institutions such
as medicine and religion. Radical feminists see sexism as the oldest and most pervasive form
of oppression; they argue that the eradication of patriarchy and compulsory heterosexuality
are key to ending gender oppression. This would be accomplished by increasing women's
control over their bodies, including transforming sexuality, childbirth, and motherhood (Gore,
2011).

Marxist and Socialist feminists root gender inequality in capitalism. They argue
capitalists and individual men exploit women's unpaid reproductive labor within the family.
Women are also exploited as a low-wage and expendable reserve army of labor. Marxist
feminists claim patriarchy is produced by capitalism and will end with capitalism’s demise.
Socialist feminists ague patriarchy and capitalism are separate systems of oppression. They
call for a transformation of relations within the family through a redistribution of
responsibilities, and changes in access to education, healthcare, economic opportunities and
political power. The Marxist feminism that emerged from these struggles integrated an
attention to feudal social forms of gender relations in order to better understand imperialist
strategies for capitalist accumulation. Late capitalism spawned a two-fold method: the
systematic disarticulation of production from one region or location, so that factories roam
the earth in relentless search of unorganized workers, coupled with the global integration of
capital in time, money and space. Workers have lost power as capital has gained
(Carpenter,2017).

CRITIQUE OF THE FEMINIST THEORY

Feminist theory is a diverse and complex body of thought that emerged in response to
historical and contemporary gender inequalities. It seeks to understand, critique, and
ultimately challenge the social, political, economic, and cultural structures that perpetuate
gender-based oppression. While feminist theory encompasses a wide range of perspectives
and approaches, it is important to critically analyze some key aspects and criticisms:

Diversity within Feminism: Feminism is not a monolithic ideology; it is a multi-

faceted movement with various schools of thought. These include liberal feminism, radical
feminism, socialist feminism, intersectional feminism, ecofeminism, and more. Critics argue
that the diversity within feminism can sometimes lead to fragmentation and a lack of a
unified voice.

Essentialism vs. Intersectionality: One criticism of early feminist theory is its

tendency towards essentialism, which assumes that women share a universal experience and
identity. Intersectional feminism, however, recognizes that women's experiences are shaped
by multiple factors, including race, class, sexuality, and more. Some feminist theories have
been criticized for reinforcing gender binaries and essentialist notions of masculinity and
femininity. This can inadvertently exclude non-binary and genderqueer individuals and limit
the potential for more inclusive and fluid understandings of gender. Gendered ideologies of
paid work produced feminized relations of production that structure paid work for all workers
(Candelario 2007). Feminized relations of production do not refer simply to the increase in
paid women workers, but also to the increasing atomization of all workers through migration,
home-based work and work’s precarity (Wright 2006). The distinction between paid and
unpaid work becomes increasingly blurred, so that “capital increasingly calls upon the
affects, activities, and conditions associated with women’s reproductive labor in all forms of
work” (Berg 2014).
Marxist and socialist feminists argue that capitalist systems are inherently patriarchal,
as they exploit and oppress women through wage gaps and commodification of labor. Critics
contend that this economic focus may overlook other dimensions of gender inequality
Marxist feminism as a framework became increasingly criticized by many feminists for
relying solely on Marx’s analysis of capitalism, and therefore missing the ways in which
women’s exploitation was a consequence of multiple forms of oppression. Instead of
centering capitalism as the sole form of exploitation shaping women’s lives, socialist
feminists argued that patriarchy was as important for women’s historical and contemporary
oppression as Marxist analyses of capitalism. In the 1980s, Marxist feminists and socialist
feminists in Euro-America fiercely debated whether patriarchy was intrinsic to capitalism in
what was called the mode of production debate (Vogel 1983). The debate centered on
whether patriarchy was an “extra-economic” force used for labor control under capitalism,
whether it was the systemic tool at hand to maximize capitalism’s efficiency, or whether it
was systemic to capitalism (Gibson-Graham 1986).
Current Marxist feminist debates question “reproduction” as configured by relations
of life being under capitalism. The embodied, affective and material sites of life-being
demand attention to inter-species coalitions and planetary values of existence (Hawthorne
2002). As Marxist feminists assail the environmental plunder of capitalism, as intrinsic to its
ongoing primitive accumulation, they seek answers outside global commodity exchange
(Tsing 2005). They theorize an alternative ecologically synergistic economy led by
reproductive workers in their greatest numbers, including domestic and care laborers, peasant
farmers and indigenous hunters-gatherers.

CONTRIBUTIONS OF FEMINIST THEORY TO THE EMANCIPATION OF

WOMEN
Feminist theory has made significant contributions to the emancipation of women by
challenging and critiquing the societal norms, structures, and practices that perpetuate
gender-based oppression. Here are some of the key contributions of feminist theory to the
emancipation of women:
Raising Awareness: Feminist theory has played a pivotal role in raising awareness
about the various forms of gender-based discrimination and violence that women face in
society. It has brought these issues into the public discourse, shedding light on previously
marginalized experiences. Many women organizations have been formulated in Uganda with
a foundation and mission of empowering women. With the vision of women owning
resources, achieving women rights and gender equity in all spheres of life by participating in
decision making, living in peaceful and freedom both in their homes and in the society free
from violence, among others. A number of organizations such as Action for Development
(ACFODE), International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), and Katosi Women
Development Trust (KWDT) among others have been established in the bid or strengthening
and developing women so as to elevate them from poverty (Nansubuga, 2011).
Education and Awareness: Feminist theory has contributed to educational curricula
that promote gender equality and awareness of feminist issues. This helps future generations
understand and combat gender-based discrimination. For example, in Uganda Education
another concept introduced by missionaries mainly in central, eastern and southern Uganda.
The formal education in schools was mainly meant for boys. However, the girl child
education was promoted was promoted by missionaries and nun/ sisterhood missions in the
1930s. Boarding schools for girls were constructed. Girls were also encouraged to acquire
higher education and this is the reason why there are various schools and girls are out
competing boys when it comes to education and other fields.
Feminists have been particularly influential in encouraging a shift from discussion of
“sex roles” to a more critical application through the concept of “gender.” The term “sex
roles,” a product of the structural functional approach of Talcott Parsons that predominated in
the mid-twentieth century, described how individuals acquired and carried out socially
prescribed roles in the public and private spheres. For structural functionalists, the expressive
(emotional, care-taking) roles taken on by women complemented the instrumental (rational,
task-oriented) roles played by men, and, grounded in the nuclear family, were necessary
for the smooth functioning of social life (Carrigan et al. 1985:). Given the limiting role
ascriptions assigned to men and women and the greater value assigned to men, feminists
developed scathing critiques of sex role theory.
Feminist theory, particularly intersectional feminism, has emphasized the importance
of considering the intersecting factors of race, class, sexuality, and other identities in
understanding women's experiences. This more inclusive approach has helped address the
unique challenges faced by marginalized women. The recognition that the protection of
women’s rights depends not only on protection against gender discrimination but also against
a wide range of other forms of oppression was a theoretical innovation provided by the
intersectional approach. It is often in the way that these forms of identity intersect that
vulnerabilities are identified. There is the realization that while women are subject to gender
discrimination, there are differences among women related to their social identities such as
class, caste, race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, sexual orientation and
identification. This approach makes it possible, at least theoretically, to include the discussion
of all forms of oppression and privilege. The intersectional approach has resulted in
interdisciplinary examination of human rights and a cross-fertilization of theories. The
acknowledgment that feminist analysis could not be achieved only through the lens of gender
and that it must necessarily include understanding and the theoretical integration of other
forms of oppression, opened the door for the inclusion of much more nuanced and previously
invisible rights claims Economic Empowerment: Feminist theory has highlighted economic
disparities between men and women and has advocated for equal pay, workplace
opportunities, and policies such as paid parental leave. This has empowered women
economically and reduced financial dependency.
While feminist theory has made significant contributions to the emancipation of women, it's
important to note that there is still much work to be done to achieve full gender equality.
Feminism continues to evolve to address emerging issues and adapt to changing societal
contexts, demonstrating its resilience and ongoing relevance in the pursuit of women's
liberation.

CONCLUSION
While feminist theory and activism have made substantial contributions to women's
emancipation, it's important to acknowledge that challenges and debates exist within
feminism itself, including differences in perspective, goals, and strategies. Moreover, the
progress toward women's emancipation is ongoing, as gender inequality continues to
manifest in various forms. However, feminist theory remains a vital tool for understanding
and addressing these issues, and its impact on women's emancipation should not be
underestimated.
 BIBLIOGRAPHY
Carpenter, Sara and Shahrzad Mojab. 2017. Revolutionary Learning: Marxism, Feminism and
Knowledge. London: Pluto Press.

Carrigan, Tim, Bob Connell, and John Lee. 1985. Towards a New Sociology of Masculinity. Theory
and Society

Gibson-Graham, J.K. 1986. The End of Capitalism (As We Knew It): A Feminist Critique of Political
Economy. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers.

Gore, Dayo. 2011. Radicalism at the Crossroads: African American Women Activists in the Cold
War. New York: New York University Press

Hawthorne, Susan. 2002. Wild Politics: Feminism, Globalization, and Bio/Diversity. Melbourne:
Spiniflex.

Immaculate Nansubuga 2011, Feminism in Uganda, journal October – 2011

Tsing, Anna. 2005. Friction: An Ethnography of Global Connection. Princeton: Princeton University
Press

Vogel, Lise. 1983. Marxism and the Oppression of Women: Toward a Unitary Theory. London: Pluto
Press

Wright, Melissa. 2006. Disposable Women and Other Myths of Global Capitalism. New York:
Routledge Press.