Enemies or Allies? Feminism and Cultural Relativism as Dissident Voices in Human Rights Discourse

Brems, Eva

doi:10.1353/hrq.1997.0003

Cited by 65 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…Thus, there exist ongoing tensions between feminism and cultural relativism. Feminism calls for changes to be made to cultures so that they do not continue to discriminate against women, while cultural relativism counters that it is 'culturally appropriate' to ascribe specific roles to women and treat women in a particular manner (Brems, 1997). Bunting (1993) elaborates on the feminist position, stating that 'custom' is seen as something which perpetuates the subordination of women to men.…”

Section: Contradictions Between Feminism and Cultural Relativismmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Feminists often view cultural relativism as the continuation of male dominance and women's oppression (Brems, 1997). This tension has meant that the furthering of women's rights as human rights, has often been directly at the expense of cultural relativists' claim and cultural diversity.…”

Section: Contradictions Between Feminism and Cultural Relativismmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Cultural relativists argue that by imposing universal norms and rights, one is only acting to bury cultural differences (Bunting, 1993). However, it should be noted that not all cultural relativists reject outright the entire concept of human rights; rather, many cultural relativists reject specific human rights claims or the specific context and interpretation of a rights claim (Brems, 1997). For human rights to be universal there is an inherent requirement that human rights themselves be viewed as universal.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Challenges of Cultural Relativism and the Future of Feminist Universalism

Nayak¹

2013

JPL

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The article seeks to explain and understand the contradictions within universalistic claims of feminism. It also highlights the challenges the Women's Movement is facing within the philosophical tenets of feminism. The paper begins by defining feminism and universalism from class and cultural points of view in relation to human rights. Then it analyzes not only the tensions between feminism and universalism (in relation to culture and class) but also shows similarities and parallels between them. This paper concludes by reviewing the challenges for Women's Rights as Human Rights from feminism. Taking into consideration class and cultural factors and challenges to Women's Universal Human Rights Movement, the paper argues that both must work together by making changes with regard to human rights (women and men) violations not only at the international level but also at national and local levels.

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Section: Contradictions Between Feminism and Cultural Relativismmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Contradictions Between Feminism and Cultural Relativismmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Challenges of Cultural Relativism and the Future of Feminist Universalism

Nayak¹

2013

JPL

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“…61 However, states that consider universalism to be cultural imperialism do not substantially respect…”

Section: Submission For the International Journal Of Human Rightsmentioning

confidence: 99%

LGBT rights versus Asian values: de/re-constructing the universality of human rights

Lee

2016

The International Journal of Human Rights

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Law, especially from the international human rights regime, is a direct reference on which minority groups rely when it comes to 'non-discrimination'. Drawing upon LGBT rights in Taiwan, as well as Hong Kong and Singapore, this paperthrough an application of K.H. Chen's (2010) Asia as method -critically reviews how global LGBT politics interact with local societies influenced by Confucianism. Along a perpetual competition between the universalism and cultural relativism of human rights, this paper not only identifies the pitfalls of 'Asian values' from a cosmopolitan perspective but also contributes to a queered approach to human rights-holders against homonationalism.Keywords: Asia as method, Asian values, cultural relativism, human rights,LGBT rights, universality IntroductionExploring possible interpretations of human rights is often undertaken to counter power relations between people and government as well as the marginalised and society. In particular, in terms of equality and non-discrimination, international human rights legal norms are the most salient and direct reference on which opponents of LGBT rights rely. Law presents itself as an institution and dominates social life, which is 'created, interpreted, and enforced in certain socially established ways, through the use of recognised procedures and agencies'. There are many ways in which to study LGBT rights from the perspective of the relationship between law and society, and this includes the relevant social movement and legal reform as well as the paradox between identity politics and queer activism.The perceptions of sexuality and eroticism have been challenged a lot by multiculturalism in Asia in postmodern times, 8 and people are required to recognise heterogeneity rather than a universalistic interpretation of social reality. 9 This paper applies first, in terms of methodology, a postcolonial approach, Asia as method 10 toTaiwan, as a Westernised-Confucian society, and considers it more useful to picture the

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“…Third, African feminists question the relevance of separating the public and private spheres into gendered areas, as power relations work differently in African societies (Steady, 2005). African women often frame their work for gender equality in terms promoted by the United Nations and development organizations, but concepts such as feminism, gender, and human rights have been criticized as Western (Brems, 1997;Steady, 2005). As a result, African women activists have often refused to call themselves feminists.…”

Section: Local and Global Feminismsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Challenging the Lion in Its Den: Dilemmas of Gender and Media Activism in South Africa

Geertsema

2010

Ecquid Novi: African Journalism Studies

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Media activism groups work to bring about change in the mainstream media, but their gains are often limited. Drawing on theories of the political function of news in a democracy, media sociology, and feminism, this article focuses on the specifi c experience of Gender Links, a Southern African gender and media organization founded in 2001. An analysis of institutional materials and 25 in-depth interviews shows that Gender Links is using a professional-technical approach to feminist media activism that is insuffi cient in bringing about deep and long-term change on an ideological level. It is suggested that Gender Links could benefi t from more emphasis on political and countercultural approaches. The research also highlights some of the other dilemmas posed by issues related to funding, networking, the grassroots, press freedom, the profi t motive, and the strong backlash from a patriarchal culture.

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Enemies or Allies? Feminism and Cultural Relativism as Dissident Voices in Human Rights Discourse

Cited by 65 publications

References 32 publications

Challenges of Cultural Relativism and the Future of Feminist Universalism

Challenges of Cultural Relativism and the Future of Feminist Universalism

LGBT rights versus Asian values: de/re-constructing the universality of human rights

Challenging the Lion in Its Den: Dilemmas of Gender and Media Activism in South Africa

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