Feminism in a Polarised World
Kartavya Desk Staff
Syllabus: Women
Source: TH
Context: The recent passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill, 2023 in India has reignited debates on gender equity in politics. However, feminist discourse today faces challenges in addressing structural and interpersonal inequalities without deepening societal polarisation.
About Feminism and Its Waves:
• First Wave (1848–1920s): Focused on suffrage and legal rights.
• Key figures: Elizabeth Cady Stanton (US), Emmeline Pankhurst (UK).
• Limited inclusivity—white women dominated, sidelining major activists.
• Second Wave (1963–1980s): Expanded to workplace equality, reproductive rights, and gender violence.
• Betty Friedan’s The Feminine Mystique (1963) and Germaine Greer’s The Female Eunuch (1970) were pivotal.
• Critiqued for excluding women of colour—bell hooks’ Ain’t I a Woman? (1981) addressed intersectionality.
• Third Wave (1990s–2010s): Embraced diversity, sex positivity, and digital activism.
• Rebecca Walker coined “Third Wave” in 1992.
• Kimberlé Crenshaw’s intersectionality (1989) gained prominence.
• Movements like Riot Grrrl and #GirlPower emerged.
• Fourth Wave (2013–Present): Digital-driven, global mobilisation (e.g., #MeToo, Women’s March).
• Argentina’s Green Wave (abortion decriminalisation) contrasts with US Roe v. Wade reversal (2022).
Challenges to Feminism in a Polarised World:
• Overgeneralisation of Issues – Blurring structural oppression (e.g., rural women’s safety) with privileged struggles (urban work-life balance).
E.g. A village woman fearing rape while accessing toilets vs. a corporate woman negotiating chores.
• Backlash from Men – Economic pressures on men (job losses, societal expectations) fuel resistance to feminist discourse.
E.g. Male suicide rates (WHO: 13.5 per 100,000 men) highlight unaddressed vulnerabilities.
• Political Instrumentalisation – Feminism is often co-opted by partisan agendas, diluting its core objectives.
E.g. US abortion rights reversal (2022) vs. Argentina’s Green Wave legalising abortion (2020).
• Digital Extremism – Online spaces amplify both feminist advocacy and anti-feminist trolling.
E.g. #GamerGate (2014) targeted women in gaming with harassment.
• Cultural Resistance – Traditional norms in conservative societies hinder gender reforms.
E.g. Saudi Arabia’s male guardianship laws were relaxed only in 2019.
Way Ahead:
• Context-Sensitive Policies – Tailor solutions for rural vs. urban, privileged vs. marginalised women.
E.g. India’s Beti Bachao Beti Padhao focuses on education but needs stronger grassroots implementation.
• Engaging Men as Allies – Address male struggles (mental health, economic stress) to reduce resistance.
E.g. HeForShe (UN Women) encourages male participation in gender equity.
• Strengthening Institutions – Ensure laws (e.g., POSH Act, 2013) translate into real workplace safety.
E.g. Only 30% of Indian firms comply fully with POSH guidelines.
• Intersectional Advocacy – Include caste, class, and race in feminist discourse.
E.g. Dalit women face triple discrimination (gender, caste, class).
• Balanced Digital Activism – Counter misinformation while amplifying marginalized voices.
E.g. #DalitWomenFight highlights intersectional oppression in India.
Conclusion:
Feminism must evolve beyond polarisation, blending structural reforms with empathy. A rights-based yet inclusive approach can bridge divides. The future lies in policy action, societal dialogue, and equitable empowerment for all genders.
• “Though women in post-Independent India have excelled in various fields, the social attitude towards women and feminist movement has been patriarchal.” Apart from women education and women empowerment schemes, what interventions can help change this milieu? (UPSC – 2021)