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I may be late, but this mandates a response. As Prof @NidaKirmani has said, this is a gross generalization & misrepresentation of feminist thought. While to quote Butler “basic propositions of freedom and equality that are part of any feminist political struggle” differences https://twitter.com/mahwashajaz_/status/1345271933127061505
exist within feminism. For example, Black feminists, socialist feminists & feminists from global south emphasize the need to de-colonize white, western, liberal forms of feminism (white, liberal feminism did not necessarily precede alternative thought). Feminists furthr emphasize
contextualizing feminist theory & practice. The days when women in the global south could be portrayed as passive, docile & oppressed are long gone. There is excellent research on women's agency; women navigate class, nationality, race, caste, sexual orientation & these
experiences are documented. As Dr. Kirmani has pointed out, almost all feminist analyses & theorizing now is cognizant of the intersectionality of oppressions. No feminist suggests women are weak or vilifies women's choices. Re-motherhood, feminists highlight women's double
burden of work, their unpaid labor & care work, maternity leave & motherhood penalty.
Further, to suggest that there is no self-reflection, debate, criticism, or dynamism to the movement is extremely misguided. Feminists debate among themselves on issues faced by women & gender
Further, to suggest that there is no self-reflection, debate, criticism, or dynamism to the movement is extremely misguided. Feminists debate among themselves on issues faced by women & gender
& sexual minorities in different contexts. Feminist theory & practice (not a binary) has gained much from the debate. Feminists disagree publicly & criticize each other yet remain respectful & willing to learn. Judith Butler & Nancy Fraser, e-g, had a public exchange.
Recently & close to home, Afiya Zia criticized Saba Mahmood's work, she in turn was critically appraised by others. These are only a few examples of how rich, dynamic & nuanced feminism is. The tweeter should update herself on the work that feminists continually produce.
The tweet only speaks of her ignorance on what she calls "modern feminism". She hasn’t cited any examples from any book/column/article where a feminist has said what she alleges. I earnestly recommend the author of the tweet to update
herself on feminist writing & then debate & not abuse her huge following to undermine a movement that is absolutely necessary for women of Pakistan by such blanket (& ill-informed) statements. I’d recommend to the tweeter & her followers a few recent & easy reads
Afiya Zia's book “Faith & Feminism in Pakistan”, critically reviewed here by @SoniaQadir_ https://www.jamhoor.org/read/2019/1/20/the-poverty-of-secular-feminism
& separately by @pind_wave. https://medium.com/@zoya_rehman/the-limits-of-authenticity-and-secular-notions-in-pakistans-feminist-discourse-f03b394c1d44
Ayesha Khan's “Women’s movement in Pakistan” reviewed here by @mariarshd
http://www.bloomsburypakistan.org/book-review-the-womens-movement-in-pakistan/
http://www.bloomsburypakistan.org/book-review-the-womens-movement-in-pakistan/
Judith Butler's following interview is also a good start to be updated on the international feminist debates https://www.newstatesman.com/international/2020/09/judith-butler-culture-wars-jk-rowling-and-living-anti-intellectual-times
She may also read Dr. Rubina Saigol's paper here on the history of feminist & women's movements in Pakistan
http://library.fes.de/pdf-files/bueros/pakistan/12453.pdf
http://library.fes.de/pdf-files/bueros/pakistan/12453.pdf
One of the seminal texts on de-colonizing here
https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/abs/10.1086/342914?journalCode=signs
https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/abs/10.1086/342914?journalCode=signs
I really did not ever want to engage with Mahwash (or even see her tweets) but since she has a huge following, her extremely problematic & damaging take on feminism demanded a response. Staying level-headed & respectful, however, has been extremely difficult & emotionally taxing
