The Force of Witness: Contra Feminicide

Rosa-Linda Fregoso's book "The Force of Witness" explores the contra feminicide movement in Mexico and other feminist efforts to eradicate gender violence, highlighting the importance of different forms of witnessing to resist feminicidal violence. She theorizes witness as a force of collectivity and a constellation of multiple social locations and intersectional practices.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 14 April 2023
Publisher: Duke University Press

In her groundbreaking work "The Force of Witness," Rosa-Linda Fregoso delves deep into the intricate realm of contra feminicide movements in Mexico and other feminist endeavors to combat gender violence. Through a rich tapestry of interviews, art, documentaries, and her unwavering activism, Fregoso meticulously traces the multifaceted dimensions of misogyny, unmasking the intricate patterns of state complicity in this pervasive issue. She unveils how diverse forms of witnessing—ranging from activist-mothers bearing witness to the memories of their daughters, to expert witnesses testifying in court cases, to communal witnessing and the scholar-activist-citizen witnessing her own actions—play a pivotal role in challenging and dismantling feminicidal violence. Fregoso contextualizes these forms of witness within the rich tapestry of histories, contexts, structures, bodies, and intersectional struggles they emerge from. By delving into the complexities of feminicidal violence in relation to witnessing processes, Fregoso challenges the notion of witness as an isolated individual or autonomous subject confined solely to the legal or religious realms. Instead, she presents a compelling theory of witness as a collective force and a constellation of diverse social locations and intersectional practices that harmoniously collaborate to eradicate feminicidal violence. Through her profound analysis, Fregoso offers a transformative vision for addressing this pressing societal concern, urging us to recognize the power of collective witness and the interconnectedness of various social identities in the fight against gender-based violence.

Weight: 372g
Dimension: 152 x 230 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781478019817