Feminism

Caught in the cross-fire of political opportunism, neo-liberal triumphalism and geopolitical adventurism, feminist platforms are in retreat. Only a politics of coalition building can avert their eclipse.

Within the local-to-global context of citizen action, many activists and scholars agree that we face a “crisis of discourse”. Words that once imparted radical visions of social change have been co-opted by more powerful groups, rendering them devoid of their original meaning or politics.

This thesis looks into the depiction of women in Egyptian films during the 1950s and 60s and argues that the Nasser regime created a set of policies within “state feminism” in order to alter the image of women in Egypt. Such policies included women’s free access to higher education in 1957 and their integration and increased numbers into the work force.

In July, Arundhati Roy provoked outrage from many quarters by stating that the generally accepted image of Mahatma Gandhi was a lie. Speaking at the University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, she also called for institutions bearing his name to be renamed.

We are living in a distinctive moment when neoliberal capitalism and neopatriarchy converge. Male dominance is no mere footnote to this new historic settlement. It is central. And feminism is decisive in the resistance.

Interviews by Kira Cochrane, Sarah Phillips and Jane Martinson The Guardian (Monday 3 June 2013) On the centenary of the death of Emily Davison, we ask prominent figures from the worlds of arts, science and […]