Session 21: Feminism in IR

J.Ann Tickner in her book Gender in International Relations opens chapter 1 with quotes from Eleanor Roosevelt and Simone de Beauvoir. Both these women have observed countless times the marginalization and virtual erasure of women’s role in world politics. The Traditional ‘isms’ fail to include women in international relations, despite women making up half of the world’s population. Hence, Feminism was a much needed perspective in the field of IR. There voices that had been silenced had to be heard. 

The association of rationality and strength with masculinity has been held for centuries. States and international relations hence was seen to be the realm of rational ‘male’ actors. Women thought to be ‘weak’ and ‘emotional’ could not possibly be active agents in international affairs. Feminism in IR tries to explore this power dynamic in the study of International Relations. The patriarchal structures at a micro-level are reflected within International Relations. This is why Feminism prefers the bottom-up approach when looking at International Relations. The creation of the myth of security and protection are examples of how these gender centric values have had tremendous impact at the international level. 

In her paper on Feminism in IR in the Handbook of IR Tickner puts forth the socially constructed myth of protection. The idea that women need to be protected. That your nation or states honor is your woman. The woman is constantly tied to the land or territory. Hence in wars or even during colonial expansion rape was and is being used as a tool to belittle and humiliate your enemy.In Sex Politics and Post Colonial Predicament Stephen Conway also high lights this construct. “An inherently sexist dynamic is manufactured: the rational, masculine West pursues and attempts to control the sensual, feminine East.” In all wars and conflicts the biggest loser is the woman. She is subjected to pain from her own people and her enemies. One film which I thought really showed this predicament is called Khamoosh Pani. It’s about the turmoil of women during the Partition of India and Pakistan. It perfectly shows how war is fought on the body of the woman. To silence these voices is unjust not only to the women who go through these ordeals but to ourselves as citizens of this of IR could gain much from including women. It will not only open up more discussion and debates but also help bring change.