How to make feminism more inclusive
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2019-01-19
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en
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Muslim female feminists in the Netherlands have a complicated position. Their experiences as Muslim women are affected by an intersection of sexism and islamophobia. Moreover, they are often excluded from feminist movements by secular feminists, who regard feminism and religion to be contradictory. In this thesis, I search for strategies to make feminism more inclusive by forming coalitions between Muslim and non-Muslim feminists. I argue that in order to achieve an inclusive feminism, it is essential to unite intersectional strategies for forming coalitions with the postsecular critique (as formulated by Mahmood, Bracke and Braidotti). This leads to two challenges. The first is to acknowledge pious agency in an intersectional discourse that is usually formulated in terms of resistance. The second concerns the question of identity politics. In line with Jakeet Singh I wonder: if intersectional strategies for forming coalitions often reject identity politics, is it still possible for Muslim women to formulate their religious motivations? Based on interviews with five Muslim Dutch feminists, I argue that the postsecular critique is indeed relevant in the Dutch context: feminists need to acknowledge pious agency. Furthermore, I find that in the process of forming coalitions, tactics of transversal politics as formulated by Nira Yuval-Davis are useful. Members of the coalitions share their stories and by listening to one another, formulate common goals and values. Identity politics are then not necessary. However, identity politics are still essential for actions of the coalition in the outside world. Only when they have the possibility to present themselves as ‘Muslim women’, Muslim female feminists can show their religious motivations and be truly recognised in society.
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen