Anti-Racism Day on March 21 serves as a poignant reminder that feminism must evolve to address the needs and concerns of all women, not just those of white, affluent, and often university-educated women. Pakistani-American author and lawyer Rafia Zakaria has emerged as a strong advocate for a more inclusive feminism that prioritizes the diverse experiences and political goals of women of color.
A Personal Journey to Feminism
Rafia Zakaria’s journey to becoming a feminist in the U.S. is anything but conventional. Born and raised in Pakistan, Zakaria emigrated to the United States at 17 through an arranged marriage—a decision driven by her desire to attend college. “One night after dinner, sitting on the edge of my bed in mid-1990s Karachi, I agreed to an arranged marriage,” she recounts in her book Against White Feminism. This decision to pursue freedom through education paradoxically curtailed her autonomy.
Despite her husband’s objections, Zakaria pursued a career in law, ultimately leaving the marriage to become an expert in immigration law. Her personal story underscores a critical theme in her critique of Western feminism: for women like her, feminism is not an abstract ideal but a practical tool for survival and autonomy.
Critique of ‘White’ Feminism
Zakaria critiques the feminist movement for being dominated by white, affluent women whose priorities often exclude the concerns of women of color. She argues that women of color are frequently reduced to victims in need of rescue while their political goals and agency are sidelined.
In one instance, Zakaria was invited to speak about women’s issues in Pakistan but was instead seated behind a table of handicrafts, expected to represent her culture in a way that catered to Western stereotypes. This experience exemplified the disconnect between white feminism and the lived realities of women of color.
Zakaria also highlights how Western feminists often impose solutions that fail to resonate with local communities. For example, a Western NGO promoted “clean cookstoves” in rural India, assuming it would free women from waged labor. However, the women neither needed nor wanted the stoves, which could not be repaired locally, reflecting a lack of understanding of their priorities.
Feminism as a Political Tool
Zakaria critiques how feminism has been co-opted for political agendas. After the September 11 attacks, U.S. feminists supported the invasion of Afghanistan under the guise of liberating Afghan women. This alignment with Western imperialism, she argues, undermined the legitimacy of Afghan women’s rights, which became associated with foreign intervention rather than local empowerment.
“The U.S. used feminism as a cover when it invaded Afghanistan, so women’s rights in Afghanistan are no longer considered legitimate but a sign of pro-Western collaborators,” Zakaria told D.W.
The U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan left women vulnerable, revealing a lack of sustained commitment to their rights beyond political expediency.
A Call for Inclusive Feminism
Zakaria’s critique extends beyond modern feminism to historical examples, such as British suffragettes who pressured Indian women to support their campaign for women’s suffrage without addressing colonial oppression. “Indian women wanted the vote,” Zakaria writes, “but in a country that was no longer under British colonial rule.”
Her call for inclusivity resonates globally. Journalist Ciani-Sophia Hoeder similarly critiques the feminist movement in Germany for prioritizing white, affluent women while sidelining the needs of migrant and working-class women.
Hope for the Future
Despite her critiques, Zakaria remains hopeful about the potential of feminism to drive meaningful change. She emphasizes the necessity of political organization to safeguard and expand women’s rights. “It’s nice to have rights,” she says, “but we can’t keep our rights if we don’t organize politically—otherwise, our rights will be taken away again by new governments.”
Zakaria’s work underscores the need for a broader, more inclusive feminism that recognizes the diverse experiences and priorities of all women. By challenging dominant narratives and embracing intersectionality, feminism can remain a relevant and powerful force for change in a rapidly evolving world.
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