FEMINISM – Gender, Justice & Power
From Equality Demands to Structural Transformation
1️⃣ WHAT IS FEMINISM?
Feminism is a political and philosophical movement that challenges gender-based inequality and patriarchy.
It argues that women have been historically marginalized in political, social, economic and cultural spheres.
Core Aim → Achieve substantive equality.
2️⃣ CORE CONCEPTS
- Patriarchy – Male domination system
- Gender vs Sex distinction
- Public-Private divide critique
- Personal is political
- Structural oppression
3️⃣ WAVES OF FEMINISM
First Wave – Political rights (voting, property)
Second Wave – Workplace, sexuality, domestic oppression
Third Wave – Identity, intersectionality
Fourth Wave – Digital activism, #MeToo
4️⃣ TYPES OF FEMINISM
- Liberal Feminism – Equal legal rights
- Marxist Feminism – Economic exploitation of women
- Radical Feminism – Patriarchy as root system
- Socialist Feminism – Class + Gender analysis
- Postmodern Feminism – Identity and discourse
5️⃣ FEMINIST CRITIQUE OF STATE
State is not gender-neutral.
Policies often reproduce structural inequality.
Need gender budgeting, representation, and institutional reform.
6️⃣ FEMINISM & JUSTICE
Challenges traditional theories of justice for ignoring gender.
Advocates substantive equality instead of formal equality.
Care ethics (Carol Gilligan) emphasizes relational morality.
📝 UPSC MAINS QUESTIONS
- Discuss different strands of Feminism.
- Is the state gender-neutral? Examine from feminist perspective.
- How does feminism redefine justice?
- Explain the concept of patriarchy.
📌 QUICK REVISION MAP
- Core problem → Patriarchy
- Main demand → Substantive equality
- Method → Structural reform
- Modern link → Representation, workplace rights, digital activism
Feminism transforms politics by questioning power at its roots.
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