The Contrast between Western and Islamic Feminism

Abstract

This article presents a comparative theoretical and methodological analysis of two main feminist paradigms: Western feminism and Islamic feminism. Despite their shared goal of achieving gender justice, these paradigms are rooted in distinct cultural, religious, and philosophical premises. Western feminism has developed within the framework of secular-humanist and liberal-democratic traditions, evolving through the various «waves» of feminist movements, from the first wave advocating for women's suffrage to the contemporary digital activism of the «fourth wave». This direction critiques patriarchal structures while prioritizing legal reforms for gender, social and legal equality. In contrast, Islamic feminism seeks to reconstruct the theological and legal paradigm for women by revisiting patriarchal interpretations of religion.

The article focuses on comparing the theoretical foundations, concepts of subjectivity, and methodological tools of each direction. The study, relying on contemporary sources, provides a theoretical basis for dialogue between the two feminist paradigms. The goal of the paper is to conduct a theoretical and methodological analysis of the contradictions between Western and Islamic feminism. The research identifies the heterogeneous nature of feminism as a global phenomenon, highlighting the differences and similarities between secular-liberal and religious-theological paradigms. The paper discusses the three main «waves» of Western feminism, including the digital activism of the current «fourth wave», while also exploring the responses of Islamic feminism to colonial narratives and classical legal interpretations. The research employs an integrated approach, combining literature review, theoretical synthesis, and comparative analysis. Theoretical synthesis includes the use of feminist epistemology and cultural-humanitarian discourse analysis. The comparative analysis highlights the different interpretations of the concepts of freedom and autonomy, as well as the common principles of critiquing patriarchy and defending women's rights. The main conclusion of the article is that Western and Islamic feminism are not opposing directions that negate each other but, rather, complementary forms of feminist thought capable of engaging in dialogue and cooperation within the global social discourse.

Keywords: Feminism, Gender Equality, Western Feminism, Islamic Feminism, Comparative Analysis, Intersectionality, Woman, Agency