How feminism and community psychology play a role within each other

1. Feminism and Community Psychology
In South Africa’s current democratic era, woman's negotiations
of human rights is still a delicate balancing act between:
 personal needs;
 broader family, or community needs.
Community psychologists needs to recognize these
contributions as a resource and incorporate feminist
principles into their work with stakeholders to empower
women and through them, the community they live in.

2. Conceptual compatibilities and
intersection
Feminism and community psychology share a common history, having emerged in the
1960’s as a part of broad movements for social justice and equality, both community and
feminist theories emphasise the importance of understanding the experiences of
oppressed groups.
Community
psychology
and
feminism
Contextualised
understanding of
community as a
whole
Pay attention to
diversity in
groups
Reflect the
standpoints of
oppressed
groups

3. Women-relevant iniatives
The integration of feminism in community psychology has increased recognition of
the important role South African women play in their communities.
Community psychologists can facilitate woman's peer community building through
developing individual and collective skills in interventions, including activities that
provide women with occasions for analytical, introspective peer dialogues.
By working with various stakeholders and bringing about their comprehension of
these issues, community psychologists can encourage preventive interventions
among women in communities that allow for positive human development.
Such system changes through collaboration of woman's peers, families and
friends, in conjunction with stakeholder contributions can develop grassroots
organizations with the capacity to overcome gendered and racist divisions of power
to affect real change and positive progress in South African communities.

4. Safety in social support and
collective activism
In community psychology, community building activities are encouraged
across gendered lines, to stimulate community members own initiatives and
increase communal social cohesion.
Women involved in such initiatives would most likely have to overcome
traditional gender role norms but place them in subservience in their family
homes and communities as mothers and wives, in order to contribute as
leaders in these same communities.
The implication for the practice of community psychology is that in creating
a safe space it needs to ensure that all women feel a sense of safety within
its borders, and an institutional responsibility for assuring safety must be in
evidence by involving law enforcement stakeholders and making them
aware of the risk inherent in such communal contributions by women.