Khirad Siddiqui delves into the connection between the carceral state and global feminism, questioning the notion of a universal sisterhood and challenging interventionist strategies disguised as “saving women.” Through the lens of Qandeel Baloch’s killing, the author advocates for an abolitionist feminist approach.
Third World Feminisms
Lynsey Mitchell explores how feminist legal work in the UK highlights global gender equality efforts through saviour narratives, yet overlooks domestic racism and patriarchy. The author critiques the securitisation of feminist discourse post-9/11, revealing its reliance on colonial hierarchies and promotion of a progressive narrative centered on first world societies.
Sué Gonzales Hauck offers a feminist perspective on the interplay of power dynamics between the state and corporations, focusing on the historical role of the United Fruit Company. By examining its connections to contemporary multinationals and state actors, the author underscores the corporation’s pivotal role in shaping international legal history and the strategies employed to challenge their influence on labor practices.
Reeju Ray examines how colonial legacies persist in governing Indigenous women’s lives in post-colonial states like Meghalaya, India. By analysing the Khasi Custom of Lineage Act, Ray highlights Indigenous women’s struggles against institutional patriarchy and their diverse forms of resistance.
Nora Jaber examines the limitations of the liberal rights discourse in addressing the realities of marginalised individuals in Saudi Arabia. By delving into Saudi women’s experiences with ‘petitioning for reform’, the author shows the distinction between their activism and prevailing international feminist agendas.
Apeksha Gandhi examines construction of ‘woman’ and the nation-building period within postcolonial India. The author argues that the concept of womanhood, rooted in colonial and Western constructs, perpetuates binary notions of subjecthood and undermines efforts for genuine liberation.
Rohini Sen, Shaimaa Abdelkarim and Farnush Ghadery introduce the #FeministTWAIL symposium with contributions by Apeksha Gandhi, Nora Jaber, Reeju Ray, Sue Gonzales Hauck, Lynsey Mitchell and Khirad Siddiqui.
Issue 4 is out now, addressing among other things Palestine, pandemics, contraception & Third World Feminisms + 3 key TWAIL texts now in Spanish.