Is transnational feminist solidarity possible?

Swati Parashar and Ravi Dutt Bajpai

Chapter 17 in Handbook on Gender in World Politics, 2026, pp 102-109 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: This chapter argues that while third wave feminism aimed to reconcile with diversity, contemporary transnational feminist solidarity is undermined by internal fractures. The authors identify three key problems: the selective recognition of struggles, leading to inconsistent outrage; an uncritical acceptance of cultural difference that stifles critiques of harmful patriarchal practices; and a disingenuous search for an “authentic” voice, which silences and marginalizes many women. These dynamics, rooted in anxieties about postcolonial privilege and identity politics, result in a paralysis that mutes responses to global atrocities and censures feminists who challenge their own cultures. To overcome these roadblocks, the chapter proposes a model of ‘empathetic critique’. This approach calls for self-reflection, respectful dialogue and the courage to engage with uncomfortable truths, aiming to rebuild effective feminist alliances capable of confronting a rising global backlash against women's rights.

Keywords: Transnational Feminism; Feminist Solidarity; Empathetic Critique; Authenticity; Postcolonial Feminism (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781803923765
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