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What is communitarian feminism?

Published in Feminist Theory 4 mins read

Communitarian feminism is a distinct approach that uniquely unites the struggle for women's equality with the broader struggle for decolonization. It advocates for gender justice not merely through individual rights but by emphasizing the collective well-being, shared values, and historical context of specific communities, particularly those impacted by colonialism.

Core Principles of Communitarian Feminism

Unlike some mainstream feminist theories that prioritize universal individual rights, communitarian feminism grounds its advocacy in the specific cultural, historical, and social realities of a community. Its foundational principles include:

  • Unity of Struggles: A central tenet is the indivisible link between achieving women's equality and dismantling colonial structures and their lasting impacts. This means that gender oppression is often seen as intertwined with racial, economic, and political oppression rooted in colonialism.
  • Emphasis on Community and Collective Identity: It values the collective over the purely individual. The rights and well-being of women are viewed within the context of the entire community's health and liberation. This often involves supporting traditional community structures and values where they empower women and resist colonial impositions.
  • Cultural Context and Sovereignty: Communitarian feminists recognize that women's experiences and pathways to liberation are diverse and deeply shaped by their cultural heritage. They often critique universalist feminist approaches that may overlook or undermine indigenous knowledge systems, traditional roles, and specific community needs.
  • Decolonization as a Feminist Imperative: For this perspective, true women's liberation cannot occur without the decolonization of lands, minds, and institutions. This involves reclaiming indigenous languages, spiritual practices, governance systems, and economic independence as part of the feminist struggle.

Key Characteristics

Communitarian feminism is characterized by several key aspects that differentiate it within the broader feminist landscape:

  • Rejection of Radical Individualism: It critiques the focus on individual autonomy prevalent in liberal feminism, arguing that such an emphasis can sometimes neglect the communal bonds and responsibilities essential for societal well-being and collective liberation.
  • Intersectional Approach: While not always explicitly named, its inherent link to decolonization means it inherently considers the intersection of gender with race, ethnicity, class, and colonial history. It understands that women's oppression is compounded by these various forms of marginalization.
  • Focus on Indigenous and Post-Colonial Contexts: This framework is particularly relevant and influential in movements by Indigenous women, women in the Global South, and those from communities historically subjected to colonial rule, where the legacies of colonialism continue to shape gender relations.
  • Valuation of Traditional Knowledge: It often seeks to uplift and integrate traditional, pre-colonial knowledge systems and women's roles within them, distinguishing between oppressive patriarchal traditions and empowering communal practices.

Distinguishing Communitarian Feminism

To better understand communitarian feminism, it's helpful to contrast it with other prevalent feminist theories:

Aspect Communitarian Feminism Liberal Feminism Radical Feminism
Primary Focus Community well-being, collective rights, cultural preservation, decolonization Individual rights, legal and social equality, equal opportunities Patriarchy as the root cause of all oppression, male domination, systemic sexism
Main Goal Gender equality intertwined with community liberation and decolonial struggles Achieving gender equality through legal reforms, education, and individual empowerment Overthrowing patriarchal systems, often through radical social change
Approach Context-specific, collective action, critiques universalism Works within existing systems, advocates for incremental change Seeks fundamental societal restructuring, often challenging existing norms
Key Concerns Decolonization, cultural integrity, indigenous rights, community self-determination Discrimination in workplace, education, politics, equal pay Violence against women, reproductive rights, sexual exploitation, male power structures

Examples and Applications

Communitarian feminism manifests in various movements and initiatives globally:

  • Indigenous Women's Movements: Advocating for land back, protection of sacred sites, and revitalization of traditional governance systems, recognizing these as fundamental to both their community's and women's well-being.
  • Post-Colonial Feminist Activism: Challenging the enduring impacts of colonial policies on women's lives, from economic exploitation to the imposition of foreign legal systems that undermine indigenous gender roles.
  • Community-Based Solutions: Focusing on collective ownership, shared resources, and community-led initiatives to address issues like gender-based violence, poverty, and lack of access to education, rather than solely relying on state or individual remedies.
  • Cultural Revitalization: Efforts to restore and celebrate pre-colonial cultural practices and spiritual beliefs that often elevated women's roles and contributed to gender balance within communities.

Communitarian feminism thus offers a powerful framework for understanding and addressing gender inequality through a lens that prioritizes collective liberation and respects diverse cultural pathways to justice, with a strong emphasis on overcoming colonial legacies.