Women’s Resistance and the Woman, Life, Freedom Movement: The Politics of Intersectionality and Recognition in Iran

• In Event: 30420 - Section on Racial and Ethnic Minorities Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): Table 12: Gender, Masculinity, Intersectionality and Race

Abstract

Applying theories in the politics of intersectionality and recognition, this paper highlights the lack of recognition of Azerbaijani women’s intersectional identity during the Woman, Life, Freedom movement in Iran. Building on Kimberlé Crenshaw’s theory of intersectionality, this study critiques the one-dimensional models that ignore the significance of the ethnic identity of Azerbaijani women’s lived experience by the mainstream feminist discourse of the country. Also, building on Nancy Fraser’s theory of recognitional justice, this paper argues that ethnic minority women in Iran are bivalent collectivities that suffer from both socioeconomic maldistribution and cultural misrecognition. While addressing the unequal distribution of resources is important, this paper particularly focuses on the need for systematic cultural recognition to ensure equal social esteem. In the context of the Woman, Life, Freedom movement, it explores how Azerbaijani women's lived experiences and contributions have been systematically misrecognized. Despite their active participation, the mainstream feminist discourse in Iran has failed to adequately recognize their intersectional identity, thereby further perpetuating their marginalization. This study explores how the lack of recognition of minorities impacts the concept of redistributive justice, using women’s experiences as a case study.

Author

• Sevil Suleymani, Northern Kentucky University