Decolonial Feminism in Abya Yala: Caribbean, Meso, and South American Contributions and Challenges

Decolonial feminism explores the coloniality of gender, critiques white and Eurocentric feminisms, and examines the intersections of gender, race, and colonialism. It also addresses feminicides and the coloniality of democracy and public institutions. This anthology includes translations of work originally written in Spanish and essays in English that address the fundamental concepts of decolonial feminism and its contributions to political and intellectual debates.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 25 January 2024
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Decolonial Feminism: An Introduction
Decolonial feminism is a collection of eleven chapters and an introduction that develop key arguments in decolonial feminism, particularly the coloniality of gender, the critique of white and Eurocentric feminisms, the imbrication between gender, race, and colonialism, feminicides, and the coloniality of democracy and public institutions. The introduction addresses the path of decolonial feminism: from a new approach to understanding the relationship between gender as a category, race, and colonialism that combined U.S. Third World feminism and scholarship on coloniality and decoloniality to its exponential growth in the hands of activists and engaged scholars from Latin America and the Caribbean. Today, much of the literature on decolonial feminism in Latin America and the Caribbean remains unknown in the U.S. This anthology seeks to start remedying this problem with seven translations of work originally written in Spanish, and three essays originally written in English that address the fundamental concepts of decolonial feminism as well as its contributions to important contemporary political and intellectual debates.

Chapter 1: The Coloniality of Gender
The coloniality of gender is a central theme in decolonial feminism. It argues that gender is not a universal category but is shaped by colonialism and other forms of oppression. This chapter explores the ways in which gender is constructed, reproduced, and resisted in different contexts, including the Americas, Africa, and Asia. It also examines the impact of colonialism on gender roles, sexuality, and reproductive rights.

One of the key arguments of decolonial feminism is that gender is not a natural or essential category but is constructed through social and cultural practices. This means that gender is not fixed or immutable but can be changed and transformed. Decolonial feminism challenges the idea that gender is a binary category and argues that there are many different genders and that these genders are not mutually exclusive.

Another important argument of decolonial feminism is that gender is not a neutral category but is deeply implicated in power relations. Gender is used to justify and maintain systems of oppression, including patriarchy, racism, and colonialism. Decolonial feminism seeks to dismantle these systems of oppression and to create a more just and equitable society.

Chapter 2: The Critique of White and Eurocentric Feminisms
White and Eurocentric feminisms have been criticized for their failure to address the experiences of women of color and other marginalized groups. Decolonial feminism argues that these feminisms are based on a colonialist mindset and that they perpetuate the oppression of these groups.

One of the key arguments of decolonial feminism is that white and Eurocentric feminisms are based on a binary understanding of gender. This binary understanding of gender sees gender as a natural and essential category that is divided into two distinct groups: men and women. This binary understanding of gender is based on a colonialist mindset that sees women as inferior to men and that sees men as the dominant group.

Decolonial feminism challenges this binary understanding of gender and argues that there are many different genders and that these genders are not mutually exclusive. Decolonial feminism also argues that gender is not a neutral category but is deeply implicated in power relations.

Chapter 3: The Imbrication between Gender, Race, and Colonialism
The imbrication between gender, race, and colonialism is a central theme in decolonial feminism. It argues that gender is not a separate category from race and that race is not a separate category from colonialism. This chapter explores the ways in which gender, race, and colonialism are intertwined and how they impact each other.

One of the key arguments of decolonial feminism is that gender is not a neutral category but is deeply implicated in power relations. Gender is used to justify and maintain systems of oppression, including patriarchy, racism, and colonialism. Decolonial feminism seeks to dismantle these systems of oppression and to create a more just and equitable society.

Chapter 4: Feminicides
Feminicides are a form of gender-based violence that is particularly prevalent in Latin America and the Caribbean. Decolonial feminism argues that feminicides are a result of the coloniality of gender and that they are a form of resistance to the oppression of women.

One of the key arguments of decolonial feminism is that feminicides are a result of the coloniality of gender. This means that feminicides are a result of the ways in which gender is constructed, reproduced, and resisted in different contexts, including the Americas, Africa, and Asia. Decolonial feminism argues that feminicides are a form of resistance to the oppression of women and that they are a way for women to assert their rights and to challenge the power of men.

Chapter 5: The Coloniality of Democracy and Public Institutions
The coloniality of democracy and public institutions is a central theme in decolonial feminism. It argues that democracy and public institutions are not neutral or universal but are shaped by colonialism and other forms of oppression. This chapter explores the ways in which democracy and public institutions are used to justify and maintain systems of oppression, including patriarchy, racism, and colonialism.

One of the key arguments of decolonial feminism is that democracy and public institutions are not neutral or universal but are shaped by colonialism and other forms of oppression. This means that democracy and public institutions are not designed to serve the interests of all people but are designed to serve the interests of a small elite. Decolonial feminism seeks to dismantle these systems of oppression and to create a more just and equitable society.

Chapter 6: The Contributions of Decolonial Feminism to Important Contemporary Political and Intellectual Debates
Decolonial feminism has made significant contributions to important contemporary political and intellectual debates. It has challenged the idea that gender is a natural or essential category and has argued that gender is constructed, reproduced, and resisted in different contexts. It has also challenged the idea that gender is a neutral category and has argued that gender is deeply implicated in power relations.

Decolonial feminism has also made significant contributions to the study of race and colonialism. It has argued that race is not a natural or essential category but is constructed through social and cultural practices. It has also argued that race is deeply implicated in power relations and that it is used to justify and maintain systems of oppression, including patriarchy, racism, and colonialism.

Decolonial feminism has also made significant contributions to the study of gender and sexuality. It has argued that gender and sexuality are not separate categories but are intertwined and that they are shaped by colonialism and other forms of oppression. It has also argued that gender and sexuality are not neutral categories but are deeply implicated in power relations.

Chapter 7: The Challenges of Decolonial Feminism
Decolonial feminism faces several challenges. One of the key challenges is the lack of recognition and support from mainstream feminist institutions and organizations. Decolonial feminism is often seen as a radical or fringe movement and is not given the same level of attention and support as other feminist movements.

Another challenge of decolonial feminism is the lack of resources and funding. Decolonial feminism is often conducted by activists and engaged scholars who work on a volunteer basis and who do not have access to the same level of resources and funding as other feminist organizations.

Despite these challenges, decolonial feminism is a growing movement that is making significant contributions to important contemporary political and intellectual debates. It is important for scholars and activists to continue to support and promote decolonial feminism and to work towards creating a more just and equitable society.

In conclusion, decolonial feminism is a collection of eleven chapters and an introduction that develop key arguments in decolonial feminism, particularly the coloniality of gender, the critique of white and Eurocentric feminisms, the imbrication between gender, race, and colonialism, feminicides, and the coloniality of democracy and public institutions. The introduction addresses the path of decolonial feminism: from a new approach to understanding the relationship between gender as a category, race, and colonialism that combined U.S. Third World feminism and scholarship on coloniality and decoloniality to its exponential growth in the hands of activists and engaged scholars from Latin America and the Caribbean. Today, much of the literature on decolonial feminism in Latin America and the Caribbean remains unknown in the U.S. This anthology seeks to start remedying this problem with seven translations of work originally written in Spanish, and three essays originally written in English that address the fundamental concepts of decolonial feminism as well as its contributions to important contemporary political and intellectual debates.

Weight: 481g
Dimension: 229 x 152 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781538153130