Violence, nonviolence and feminism

Abstract

The task of this thesis is to examine the relationship between violence, nonviolence and feminism. How do feminists perceive violence and how does this relate to the way in which they seek to achieve social change? These issues have become the focus of debate for contemporary feminists with the growing participation of women in the peace movement in the last decade. This study discusses the issues underlying the use of violence and nonviolence and their relevance to feminists. A three part approach is used to do this. Firstly, I develop a framework to define the concepts of violence and nonviolence. Secondly, I analyse feminist literature to see whether feminists have a distinctive perception of violence and to determine their views on the use of violent and nonviolent action. Thirdly, I conduct interviews with several Wellington feminists to gain their perspectives on these issues. From this enquiry, I have concluded that the feminist analysis of violence is a distinctive critique which underpins their arguments for social change as well as influencing the methods they choose to achieve this change. While feminists are concerned with the processes used to achieve change, with the exception of women in the peace movement, most feminists are more concerned about the effectiveness of tactics than whether or not they are nonviolent. Feminist methods of organising share several similarities with traditional forms of nonviolence but many feminists are highly critical of the way in which nonviolence appears to reinforce the socialised role of women as passive victims This enquiry contributes to the ongoing debate in feminism about the analysis of violence and the means used by feminists to challenge that violence. It also questions the relevance of these issues for New Zealand feminists.