Feminism Theory

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 Introduction
• Feminism theory in IR is a perspective that
focuses on the gendered dynamics and power
relations within the international system.
• It seeks to analyze and challenge the traditionally
male-dominated structures, norms, and practices
that shape international politics.
• Feminist scholars argue that gender is a
significant factor in understanding international
relations and that addressing gender inequalities
is crucial for achieving global peace, security,
and justice.
• Feminist approaches to international relations
emerged in the 1980s as a response to the
male-centric nature of traditional theories.
• Feminist scholars challenged the gender-blind
assumptions and focused on bringing gender
issues to the forefront of the discipline.

Near GPO, Opposite T&T Colony, Circular road

Quetta, Baluchistan
Tel:081-2829324 Cell: 0312-9953336
website: www.anfal.com.pk
 First Wave Feminism
• The first wave of feminism emerged in the late 19th
and early 20th centuries, spanning from the late 19th-
century suffrage movements to the early 20th-century
US. UK-only white middle class.
• Demands: First-wave feminism focused primarily
on securing women's political rights, particularly the
right to vote.
• Activists also advocated for legal reforms, such as
property rights, divorce laws, and improved working
conditions for women.
• The movement sought to challenge the prevailing
notion of women's inferiority and fight for gender
equality in the public sphere.
• Achievements: The first wave of feminism
achieved significant milestones.
• One of the major achievements was the
women's suffrage movement, which led to
women gaining the right to vote in several
countries.
• The movement also paved the way for legal
reforms in areas such as property rights,
divorce laws, and educational opportunities.
• Prominent examples include the suffrage
movements in the United States, the United
Kingdom, and New Zealand.
 Second Wave Feminism
• The second wave of feminism emerged in the 1960s and
continued into the 1980s, with its peak activism occurring in the
1970s across the world.
• This wave was characterized by a broader and more diverse
feminist movement, encompassing various social and cultural
issues.
• Demands: Second-wave feminism expanded the focus beyond
political rights and addressed a range of social, cultural, and
economic issues. The movement called for reproductive rights,
including access to contraception and abortion.
• It also demanded equal opportunities in education, employment,
and the eradication of gender-based discrimination and
stereotypes. Second-wave feminism highlighted the concept of
"personal is political," emphasizing that the personal experiences
of women are connected to larger systems of power and
oppression.
• Achievements: Second-wave feminism achieved
significant advancements in various areas.
• It led to legal reforms such as the legalization of
abortion in many countries, the establishment of
women's studies programs in universities, and the
implementation of anti-discrimination laws.
• The movement also raised awareness about issues
such as domestic violence, sexual harassment, and
unequal pay, contributing to broader societal
conversations and policy changes.
 Third Wave Feminism
• The third wave of feminism emerged in the 1990s and
continues to the present day.
• This wave is characterized by its intersectional approach,
addressing the experiences and struggles of women from
diverse backgrounds, including race, class, sexuality, and
gender identity.
• Demands: Third-wave feminism aims to challenge and
dismantle intersecting systems of oppression.
• All norms are set by males.
• It recognizes that the experiences of women are diverse and
seeks to address issues of racial inequality, economic justice,
and reproductive justice.
• This wave also focuses on inclusivity, recognizing the
importance of intersectionality and amplifying marginalized
voices.
• Achievements: The third wave of feminism has
made significant progress in promoting inclusivity,
raising awareness about multiple forms of oppression,
and advocating for social change.
• It has contributed to advancements in intersectional
feminism Black feminism, white feminism, and the
recognition of diverse gender identities.
• Third wave of gender studies, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,
and Transgender LGBT.
• This wave has also facilitated important
conversations around consent and the representation
of women in media and popular culture.
 Basic Assumptions of Feminism Theory
in International Relations
• Gender as a Social Construct: Feminism theory
views gender as a socially constructed concept
rather than a biological determinant.
• It emphasizes that gender roles, expectations, and
identities are created and reinforced through social
processes and power relations.
• For example, the division of labor between men
and women in the domestic and public spheres is
seen as a socially constructed arrangement rather
than a natural or inevitable outcome.
 Empirical feminism
• Feminist challenges to International Relations contend that
women’s lives and experiences have been, and still are, often
excluded from the study of international relations.
• Empirical feminism corrects the denial or misrepresentation of
women in world politics due to false assumptions.
• Women’s lives and experiences have not been empirically
researched in the context of world politics,
• IR has been ‘excessively focused on conflict and anarchy and
a way of practicing statecraft and formulating a strategy that is
excessively focused on competition and fear’
Near GPO, Opposite T&T Colony, Circular road
Quetta, Baluchistan
Tel:081-2829324 Cell: 0312-9953336
website: www.anfal.com.pk
• Empirical studies reveal that the most efficient
allocation of development assistance is often to
provide women with appropriate agricultural
technology, credit financing, education, and
health resources.
• Feminist empiricists highlight the activism of
women, who are often marginalized, poor, and
vulnerable: whether in networks of sex workers,
home-workers, mothers or civil activists, in
countercultural campaigns and performances.
• feminists argue that only when women are
recognized as fundamental players in economic
and political processes will they share an equal
role in societal decision-making.
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Baluchistan
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 Analytical feminism
• Analytical feminism deconstructs the theoretical
framework of International Relations.
• The feminist concept of gender refers to the
asymmetrical social constructs of masculinity
and femininity as opposed to ostensibly
‘biological’ male–female differences.
• International Relations’ key concepts are neither
natural nor gender-neutral: they are derived from
a social and political context where masculine
hegemony has been institutionalized.
Near GPO, Opposite T&T Colony, Circular road Quetta,
Baluchistan
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 Normative feminism
• ‘All forms of feminist theorizing are
normative, in the sense that they help us to
question certain meanings and interpretations
in IR theory’.
• They question norms they question theories
that are made by males.
• Social norms and values are barriers for
women.
• Norms are made by male
 Patriarchy and Power
• Feminism theory argues that patriarchy, a system
of male dominance, operates within international
relations.
• It highlights how power is unequally distributed
along gender lines, with men typically holding
more political, economic, and social power.
• This power imbalance influences decision-making
processes, policies, and outcomes.
• An example is the underrepresentation of women
in leadership positions in international
organizations and the persistent gender pay gap.
 Intersectionality
• An example of intersectionality is the analysis of
the experiences of women from different social
backgrounds.
• Intersectionality recognizes that women's
experiences are shaped not only by gender but also
by other social categories such as race, class, and
sexuality.
• Poor women, black women, Dalit women.
• For instance, a woman from a marginalized racial
or ethnic group may face intersecting forms of
discrimination and may experience different
barriers and inequalities compared to a white
woman from a privileged background.
 Gendered Violence
• Instances of sexual violence as a tool of war
provide a clear example of this assumption.
• In conflicts such as the Rwandan genocide or
the Bosnian war, sexual violence was used
systematically as a weapon to intimidate,
control, and humiliate individuals and
communities.
• Such violence is rooted in patriarchal power
structures and reinforces gender hierarchies.
 Agency and Voice
• The women's suffrage movement serves as an
example of women's agency and their struggle for
political rights.
• Women activists fought for their right to vote and
participate in political processes, challenging the
prevailing notion that women were unfit for
political engagement.
• Their efforts led to significant social and political
changes, expanding women's agency and voice in
decision-making processes.
 Gendered Discourses
• The use of gendered language and stereotypes
in political discourse is a manifestation of this
assumption.
• For example, female politicians may be
subjected to scrutiny regarding their
appearance, marital status, or parenting
choices, whereas male politicians may be
evaluated primarily on their policy positions.
• These gendered discourses reinforce societal
expectations and perpetuate gender inequalities
in politics.
 Critique of Traditional Security
• The feminist critique of traditional security can be
illustrated through the emphasis on human security.
• Human security focuses on the well-being and
safety of individuals, including protection from
violence, poverty, and social injustices.
• By broadening the concept of security beyond state-
centric and military considerations, feminist
scholars advocate for a more comprehensive
understanding of security that addresses the specific
vulnerabilities and insecurities faced by
marginalized groups, particularly women and
children.
 Thank you

Near GPO, Opposite T&T Colony, Circular road Quetta,

Baluchistan
Tel:081-2829324 Cell: 0312-9953336
website: www.anfal.com.pk