Feminism’s long battle for liberation has often been framed as a struggle led by women for women. However, this framing ignores a critical truth: men’s complicity in upholding patriarchal structures is a key barrier to feminist progress. Nowhere is this more evident than in decolonizing feminism—a movement that seeks to dismantle the colonial, capitalist, and elitist structures that continue to marginalize women of the Global South. While feminist scholars and activists from Africa, Latin America, South Asia, and the Middle East fight to deconstruct these systemic injustices, men remain largely absent from the struggle or, worse, actively reinforce the very systems that keep women oppressed.
The Deep Roots of Patriarchy: Beyond Colonialism
Patriarchy predates colonialism, though colonial rule amplified and institutionalized it in many societies. Feudal structures, organized religion, and economic hierarchies have historically placed men in positions of power, relegating women to secondary roles. However, colonialism accelerated this dynamic by reshaping governance, property rights, and legal systems in ways that entrenched male dominance.
In South Asia, British colonial rule reinforced and codified oppressive laws that further subjugated women, making them legally and socially dependent on male guardians. The Indian Succession Act of 1865, for instance, institutionalized gendered inheritance laws that disadvantaged women. Across Africa, colonial administrations often replaced indigenous matrilineal structures with patriarchal governance, stripping women of their traditional land and leadership rights. In Latin America, Spanish and Portuguese colonial rule reinforced rigid Catholic gender norms, further restricting women’s autonomy.
Similarly, in the Middle East, the combination of religious and colonial legal codes led to increased control over women’s mobility, marriage rights, and economic participation. The Ottoman legal system, later adapted by European colonial powers, cemented laws that denied women land inheritance and economic autonomy—effects still visible today in restrictive property laws in countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Yet, patriarchy is not solely a colonial construct. Long before British and Soviet interventions, Afghanistan’s tribal and religious structures imposed severe restrictions on women’s autonomy. The return of the Taliban in 2021 reinforced these historical structures, stripping women of rights to education, work, and public participation. In Pakistan, pre-colonial feudal traditions dictated rigid gender roles, many of which persist today.
The dominance of landowning elites has historically restricted women’s mobility and economic independence, reinforcing male control over property, politics, and social norms. Even in contemporary Pakistan, feudal power structures continue to impact women’s rights, particularly in rural areas where access to education and employment remains limited.
The Problem of Regression
Recent surveys reveal that in many countries—including Afghanistan, Pakistan, and parts of the Middle East—an increasing number of men believe women should not work outside the home. In Afghanistan, following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, women were banned from most jobs and educational institutions, reversing decades of progress. In Pakistan, the 2024 Global Gender Gap Report ranked the country 145 out of 146, with a vast disparity in women’s workforce participation. A 2022 Gallup survey found that 74% of Pakistani men believed a woman’s primary role should be as a homemaker.
This regression is mirrored in other parts of the Global South:
- South Sudan: Ranked 146 (last place) in the 2024 Global Gender Gap Report, with extreme gender inequality and lack of female political participation.
- Pakistan: Ranked 145 out of 146, with only 21.1% female labor force participation and significant disparities in economic and political empowerment.
- Congo: Ranked 140 out of 146, with widespread gender-based violence and systemic barriers to women’s education and employment.
- Iran: Ranked 143 out of 146, where legal and societal restrictions continue to hinder women’s rights and participation.
- Nigeria: Cultural norms and economic barriers prevent many women from accessing education and employment, reinforcing male-dominated power structures.
- Rohingya Women (Myanmar/Bangladesh Refugee Camps): Face extreme gender-based violence, trafficking, and lack of legal protection due to statelessness.
- Afghanistan: Due to Taliban-imposed restrictions, the country is absent from the 2024 Global Gender Gap Report, reflecting the complete erasure of women from public life.
The Global Impact of Men’s Inaction
Men’s absence from feminist movements is not a passive issue—it is an active reinforcement of the status quo. Whether through silence, inaction, or outright opposition, men play a significant role in preventing feminist movements from achieving full liberation. Some key ways in which men contribute to this problem include:
- Economic Gatekeeping: Men dominate leadership roles in politics, business, and finance, restricting women’s access to decision-making power. In Africa, despite women making up over 50% of the agricultural workforce, they own less than 20% of the land due to patriarchal inheritance laws.
- Legislative Control: In countries like Afghanistan and Pakistan, where women’s rights are debated in male-dominated parliaments, laws continue to limit women’s freedoms. Even in so-called progressive nations, policies often fail to address intersectional discrimination.
- Cultural Policing: Social norms that shame women for working, seeking higher education, or choosing their own partners are upheld by men in families and communities. In parts of South Asia, honor killings persist, with men justifying violence as a means to uphold family honor.
Feminism Isn’t Feminism Unless It Includes All Women
Too often, Western narratives dominate conversations about feminism, sidelining the unique struggles of women in the Global South. While gender inequality is universal, its manifestations vary widely across different socio-political landscapes. Women in conflict zones face displacement, violence, and economic marginalization on a scale rarely seen in wealthier nations. Indigenous and Black women continue to grapple with the compounded effects of racism, sexism, and the legacies of colonial exploitation.
Feminism must be truly inclusive, recognizing that the battle for women’s rights does not look the same everywhere. The intersection of patriarchy with colonial histories, economic disparity, and political repression means that women in developing nations require solidarity, not a one-size-fits-all narrative imposed by Western feminism. Advocacy must amplify their voices, acknowledging that dismantling gender inequality also requires confronting imperialism, global capitalism, and racial injustice.
Feminism for All, Decolonization for Justice
Decolonizing feminism is not merely about critiquing colonial histories—it is about dismantling all oppressive structures that continue to uphold male dominance and systemic inequity. Feminism must be a movement for all women, including those in the Global South who face compounded struggles of racism, imperialism, and economic exploitation. True transformation requires men to move beyond passive allyship to active participation. The fight for gender justice is not just about women—it is about reshaping societies to be more just, equitable, and inclusive for all.
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