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A review by torvosaur
Feminism and Nationalism in the Third World by Kumari Jayawardena
3.0
I have so many feelings about this book. One one hand, it made me appreciate so much about how feminist struggles and the rise of women's emancipation movements were linked to anti-imperialism, and how "western" concepts found a fresh breath of air in colonial countries. Besides, it provides SO much information about historical figures who are otherwise ignored in modern "his"tory. Especially valuable is the elaboration of capitalism, imperialism and how they shaped women's responses to patriarchy.
While that stands, the book could have been so much more. It falls victim to the great women narrative - telling the struggle through the eyes of a few personalities while ignoring the background that put them at the forefront of struggle. There are constraints of information the author admits, but then again. A lot of history is outright missing - most of the essays stop at around 1945 (WWII), ignoring the sheer proliferation of women's movements in the post-war independent colonies and powers.
But I would recommend any readers to take the book at its own pace and read it to understand and question their preexisting notions of women's liberation in the third world. However, do be warned that it is a dry read in places, and that it is strictly limited in its perspective due to constraints of space and information, among others.
While that stands, the book could have been so much more. It falls victim to the great women narrative - telling the struggle through the eyes of a few personalities while ignoring the background that put them at the forefront of struggle. There are constraints of information the author admits, but then again. A lot of history is outright missing - most of the essays stop at around 1945 (WWII), ignoring the sheer proliferation of women's movements in the post-war independent colonies and powers.
But I would recommend any readers to take the book at its own pace and read it to understand and question their preexisting notions of women's liberation in the third world. However, do be warned that it is a dry read in places, and that it is strictly limited in its perspective due to constraints of space and information, among others.