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Luz Juliana Charles
Professor Phelan-Glasscock
201527-WS-2300-D02
November 20, 2014
Transnational Feminism
Throughout the years, people have formed their own perceptions about Feminism
and as a result several Feminist theories have evolved. In recent years, the transnational
theory developed. If people are unfamiliar with the theory, they naturally begin to ask
themselves questions in regards to the transnational theory.
There are many questions that may come to mind in regards to the Transnational
theory if the recipients are unfamiliar with the theory. What exactly is the Transnational
Feminism Theory? “It is the embracing approach to a multiplicity of voices, experiences,
cultures, to connect in solidarity. Transnational feminists work to eliminate social
hierarchies (within Feminist discourse), along with oppression from political systems.
Geographic origins are taken into account in order to connect with respect to the country
of origin, while they honor and respect multiplicities and identities” (Walker, 2007).
What is the purpose of a transnational feminist? As global communities become
interconnected, activist efforts aim at mitigating gender inequality as they move
transnationally crossing borders and come upon new identities (Jaeger, 2013).
What are some of the obstacles that transnational feminists face? There are several
challenges which include cultivating a connection, understanding, and inclusion between
different groups of women without reproducing power inequalities through the movement

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itself (Jaeger, 2013). “The movement must incorporate many diverse strategies in order to
account for and overcome all of the different circumstances that divergent national,
economic, religious, and racial backgrounds present” states Sociologist writer Ashlyn
Jaeger, University of California, Davis.
What exactly does the transnational theory consist of? “The Transnational theory
consists of Transnational Feminism activists articulating ways in which feminism is
organized as a way to legitimize globalization efforts” (Desai, 2007). How can global
politics impact the transnational theory? Desai outlined three key ways in which feminist
politics could outline global politics for the better. One, by providing theoretical
frameworks, organizational structures and strategies aiming for equality. Two, by
providing alternatives to corporate globalization and three, by creating new cultures of
globalization. Desai argued that globalization has the potential to provide gender justice if
“reframed” to focus on the collaborative cultural of globalization in which the capacity to
intertwine one’s own cultural practices with other cultural and political traditions (Desai,
2007).
What are some of the challenges that feminist theory supporters encounter? Gender
relationships in society pose a critical challenge across the globe. First, gender migration
due to the predominance of women in certain labor flows and not in others plays an
impact to gender relationships in the workplace. Secondly, the immigration conditions for
transnational migrant women, which are likely to enter into trafficking channels, or to seek
refugee resettlement (Boyd, 2003; Grieco, 2003). As a result of gender bias, immigration
results in different outcomes for men and women. Lastly, domestic violence defined and
recognized as a social problem (Lockhart, 2010; Danis, 2010). Research indicates that

3. Luz 3
Luz Juliana Charles
Professor Phelan
201527-WS-2300-D02
November 21, 2014
domestic abuse goes unreported due to fear of not having a place to go or fear of the
society knowing about their personal experiences as a power and control tactic (Lockhart,
2010; Danis, 2010). Furthermore, emotional, economic, physical, verbal and sexual
abuse including isolation, and male privilege all pose negative impacts toward gender
relationships in society.
Amongst other challenges, global poverty and inequality are critical issues affecting
most people world-wide (Schiller 68-71). Global poverty hinders transnational feminism
on an economic level while inequality hinders various national, economic, sexist and
racial backgrounds. “Global poverty is caused by inflation and inequality” (Schiller 68-71).
Furthermore, in order to successfully create conservations and coalitions across global
difference, both the asymmetries and similarities must be acknowledged for any feminist
issue being addressed by local and transnational activist efforts (Markowitz, 2002; Tice,
2002).
Who benefits from the transnational theory? All cultures involved in the process of
exchange will have the opportunity to engage with alternative cultural possibilities for
creating greater gender equality (Desai, 2007). Gender equality for everyone across the
globe means that everyone benefits worldwide.

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Reference List
Boyd, M., & Grieco, E. (2003, March 1). Women and migration: incorporating
gender into international migration theory. In Migration Policy Institute.
Retrieved November 29, 2014.
Danis, F. S., & Lockhart, L. (2010). Domestic violence: Intersectionality and
culturally competent practices (Foundations of social work knowledge
series ed., pp. 26-32). New York: Columbia University Press.
Desai, Manisha.2007. From the SWS President: Defining the messy relationship
between feminisms and globalizations. Gender and Society 12(6): 797-
803.
Jager, Ashlyn. (2013). Gender & Society in the Classroom: Global and
Transnational Feminisms. In Sage Journals. Retrieved November 21,
2014.
Markowitz, Lisa and Karen W.Tice. 2002. Paradoxes of professionalization:
Parallel dilemmas in women’s organizations in the Americas. Gender &
Society 16(6): 941-958.
Schiller, S. R. (2007). The Economics of Poverty and Discrimination (10thth ed.,
pp. 67-68). New Jersey: Upper Saddle River.
Walker, X. (2007, January). International Feminist Theory. In Blog Library UMN.
Retrieved November 26, 2014, from
http://blog.lib.umn.edu/puot0002/gwss4103/2007/01/transnational_feminism
_definit.html

5. Luz 3
Luz Juliana Charles
Professor Phelan
201527-WS-2300-D02
November 21, 2014

6. Luz 3
Luz Juliana Charles
Professor Phelan
201527-WS-2300-D02
November 21, 2014