Gender Justice and Schools of Feminism

The word feminism comes from Latin word Femina which means woman, so feminism
basically means a set of ideas or ideology related to women.

Feminism is a collection of movements and ideologies, aimed at defining, establishing and

defending equal political, cultural, economic and social rights for women. A Feminist
advocates or supports rights and equality of women

why there is a need for the same? What led to this feminism?

The answer lays in the difference between the terms Sex and Gender.

One may believe for these to be the same, but there is a difference between the two. While
one (sex) is a biological term the other Gender refers to the socially constructed roles,
behaviours, expressions and identities of girls, women, boys, men, and gender diverse people.

Ideas and beliefs are put in women since birth that they can’t help but actually agree to them.

One reason behind this can be that they actually don’t have any other belief than what has
been taught for so long to them. Women were oppressed, subjugated, exploited, not only
physically but also ideologically.

Women are considered to be weak emotionally, intellectually, physically, psychologically, but

if we talk about men are thought to be everything that women are not. One of the major
reasons behind the same is patriarchy.

How the concept of patriarchy and its role in perpetuating gender inequality?

Patriarchy is a social system or practice in which males hold primary power and
predominate in roles of political leadership, moral authority, social privilege and control of
property. Patriarchy therefore creates a power structure whereby women are systematically
suppressed. Not only this, but it is also to be noted that not all women are sisters. One who is
oppressed today may become oppressor in future.

It is a very rare chance for people to have same thinking always. There are always some
differentiations in interpretations and understanding of people. Feminism too has different
schools of thoughts.

Feminists think that history has mostly been told from a man's perspective and doesn't show
how women have contributed and shaped the society. The way men have written history has
made people think that men's traits and abilities are the standard, while women's are seen not
as important. This bias affects how we understand things like human nature, what men and
women can do, and how society should be organized. The language, reasoning, and rules of
the law have been made mostly by men, which only support ideas that benefit men.

What do you think about men and women are so different that certain behaviour can be
attributed on the basis of sex and Gender?

gender is created socially, not biologically. Sex determines the physical appearance and
reproductive capacity, but not psychological, moral, or social traits of a person.

SCHOOLS OF FEMINISM AND THEIR VIEWS ON GENDER JUSTICE

There are three major schools of thought within feminist jurisprudence.

Feminist jurisprudence reflects various feminist viewpoints and theories. They all agree that
women face oppression or disadvantages compared to men, and they see this oppression as
unjust. The feminist movement, driven by feminist thought, has contributed unique insights
across different disciplines, including sociology, philosophy, history, and law.

1. LIBERAL SCHOOL
Liberal feminism traces its roots back to the 18th century, it emphasizing individual freedom
as an essence or fundamental principle. It focuses on women's ability to achieve equality
through their own actions and choices, particularly in the domain of law and politics.

Liberal feminists argue against societal beliefs that women are inferior to men and face
discrimination in various areas like education and employment. They advocate for legal and
political reforms to ensure gender equality and remove barriers that prevent women from
participating in the society. Liberal feminists call for gender-blind laws and policies that treat
women and men equally, based on the principles of universal human rights and equality.

Liberal feminists believe that gender justice can be achieved through legislation, policy
changes, and individual empowerment

2. RADICAL SCHOOL

Radical Feminism, also referred to as dominant feminism, doesn't view gender equality
simply as a matter of similarity or difference, but rather as a struggle against the dominance
of women by men. It advocates for a complete restructuring of society to eradicate male
supremacy from all social and economic spheres.

Radical feminists perceive society as inherently patriarchal, with men exercising control and
oppressing women. Their goal is to dismantle this patriarchy to free everyone from an unjust
system, challenging established social norms and institutions in the process. This involves
combatting the objectification of women, raising awareness about issues like rape and
violence against women, and questioning traditional gender roles.

According to radical feminists, women have been systematically oppressed and marginalized
as the 'other' to the male norm due to patriarchy. They argue that men, as a class, benefit from
this oppression, maintaining dominance and exploiting women for their own gain. Patriarchy,
as they see it, is characterized by a relationship of dominance, where one group exploits
another for its own advantage. Radical feminists believe that men, collectively, employ social
structures and control mechanisms to suppress women and non-dominant men.

Their aim is to dismantle patriarchy by challenging existing norms and institutions, believing
that this will lead to liberation for all individuals from an unjust society.

3. CULTURAL SCHOOL
Cultural feminism takes a different approach from liberal feminism by shifting its focus to the
unique qualities of women compared to men. Instead of striving for women's assimilation
into patriarchal structures and proving their similarity to men, cultural feminism argues for
the transformation of institutions to embrace and reflect values traditionally associated with
women, such as love, empathy, patience, and care.

This ideology celebrates a perceived feminine essence or nature, aiming to validate qualities
that cultural feminists believe have been historically undervalued. It also emphasizes the
distinction between women and men, rooted in an essentialist perspective on gender
differences. Cultural feminism advocates for women's independence and the creation of
institutions that honor and support these feminine virtues.

4. MARXIST SCHOOL

In many capitalist economies, women are often paid less than men for the same work or work
of equal value. This disparity in wages reflects the undervaluing of women's labor, which
is a central concern for Marxist and socialist feminists.

let's take the case of two individuals, one male and one female, working in a factory
producing electronic devices. Both individuals perform the same tasks and contribute equally
to the production process. However, the male worker is paid a higher wage than the female
worker solely based on their gender.

Marxist and socialist feminists would analyze this situation by highlighting how capitalism
perpetuates gender inequality by exploiting and devaluing women's labor. They argue that the
capitalist system prioritizes profits over the well-being and fair treatment of workers,
particularly women. Additionally, they would point out that the undervaluation of women's
labor contributes to the overall profitability of capitalist enterprises, as paying women lower
wages reduces production costs and increases profits for business owners.

Therefore, to achieve gender equality, Marxist and socialist feminists advocate for the
dismantling of capitalist economic systems that perpetuate the exploitation and
undervaluation of women's labor.

Gender justice refers to a world where everybody, women and men are valued equally, and
are able to share equitably in the distribution of power, knowledge and resources. It seeks to
see all people free from cultural and interpersonal systems of privilege and oppression, and
from violence and repression based on gender.
How can we reach gender equality in society?

We are socialised to accept gender stereotypes and discriminatory behaviour from a very
young age, so one of the first things we need to engage with and question is our own belief
system.

Achieving gender justice in society requires addressing systemic inequalities and

discrimination that limit opportunities and perpetuate harmful stereotypes based on gender.
Here are some ways in which gender justice can be pursued, along with examples:

Legislative Reforms

Governments can enact laws and policies that promote gender equality and protect the rights
of women and marginalized genders. For example, implementing and enforcing laws against
gender-based discrimination in the workplace, ensuring equal pay for equal work, and
establishing quotas or affirmative action measures to increase women's representation in
politics and leadership positions.

Education and Awareness

Promoting gender equality through education and awareness-raising initiatives can challenge
stereotypes, biases, and harmful social norms. Schools can incorporate gender-sensitive
curriculam that teach students about gender equality, consent, and respectful relationships.
Community-based programs and media campaigns can also raise awareness about gender-
based violence and discrimination.

Healthcare and Reproductive Rights

Ensuring access to comprehensive healthcare services, including reproductive healthcare and

family planning, is essential for promoting gender justice.

Intersectional Approaches

Recognizing and addressing the intersecting forms of oppression and discrimination that
affect individuals based on their race, class, sexuality, disability, and other identities is crucial
for achieving gender justice. For example, organizations like Black Lives Matter advocate for
racial justice and gender justice simultaneously, recognizing the interconnected nature of
racism, sexism, and other forms of oppression.

CONCLUSION
In achieving gender justice, it requires dismantling systemic inequalities and addressing the
root causes of discrimination based on gender. Through legislative reforms, education,
healthcare access, and intersectional approaches, societies can strive towards equality and
empower individuals of all genders. By challenging stereotypes, promoting awareness, and
advocating for inclusive policies, we can create a world where everyone, regardless of
gender, is valued equally and has the opportunity to thrive. Gender justice is essential for
building a more equitable and just society for all.