Decolonizing Feminism: Voices from India and the Global South
Feminist thought and activism have long been shaped by voices and experiences from the
Global North, often overlooking the rich and diverse contributions of women and marginalized
communities from the Global South. The conference seeks to challenge and reimagine the
frameworks of feminist discourses by centering voices, narratives, and epistemologies from
India and the Global South.
Decolonizing feminism seeks to dismantle colonial power structures and address the specific
experiences of Indigenous women and women of color. This approach emphasizes the
importance of cultural context and the need to challenge Western-centric feminist frameworks.
It calls for an inclusive feminist praxis that acknowledges and integrates the intersecting
oppressions faced by marginalized communities.
Maria Lugones, a philosopher and decolonial feminist has examined how colonialism has
shaped gender relations and identities, arguing that colonial power structures have profoundly
influenced the experiences of Indigenous women and women of color. Her work calls for a
decolonial feminist praxis that recognizes and addresses these intersecting oppressions,
emphasizing the need to move beyond Western-centric feminist frameworks. Leanne
Betasamosake Simpson, an Indigenous scholar and writer, emphasizes the importance of
Indigenous knowledge systems and the need to center Indigenous women's experiences in
feminist discourses. Simpson's work highlights the unique struggles faced by Indigenous
women and the necessity of incorporating their voices and perspectives into broader feminist
narratives.
Decolonizing feminism provides a framework for understanding Indigenous feminisms in India
and Global South. Two critical questions arise in this context: Is there a need to map out
Indigenous struggles for women's emancipation within feminist discourses? Does this mapping
need to follow the western feminist mould?
To address these questions, it is essential to understand multiple feminist indigenous
trajectories and recognize that it does not have to conform to Western feminist paradigms.
Instead, perspectives can be compared, noting commonalities and divergences. This
epistemological search requires epistemic humility, acknowledging the limits of one's
knowledge and being open to learning from diverse contexts.
India and other Global South regions are home to diverse feminist movements shaped by
complex intersections of caste, race, ethnicity, class, and colonial histories. From Dalit
feminisms and Indigenous rights struggles to anti-imperialist feminist movements, these spaces
offer alternative frameworks that enrich and expand feminist thought.
The conference aims to critically engage with these perspectives, fostering dialogue between
scholars, activists, and practitioners to decolonize feminism and co-create inclusive feminist
futures. To understand Indian feminisms and feminisms in Global South , we must examine the
contexts and contestations, overlapping theory and practice. This involves revisiting,
rehearsing, and reimagining the feminist mappings from India and Global South, through a
theoretical lens and the praxis of the women's movement. The application of feminist principles
and movements, along with the impact of those experiences on theoretical landscapes, offers a
comprehensive view of feminism in India and Global South.