In a world where gender dynamics shape every aspect of society - from policy and law to urban planning and academia - the need for research-driven solutions has never been more critical. Our latest webinar, "Voices of Change: Researching gender, transforming societies", brought together feminist urban scholars and researchers to explore gender-transformative interventions in urban spaces. Together, the panellists examined the role of education in reshaping gender perspectives, the impact of feminist research on urban policymaking, and the practical steps scholars and practitioners can take to accelerate change.
Eco-feminism approaches in Zambia
Dr Fatima Mandhu, Dean at the School of Law of University of Zambia, highlighted the intersection of gender and environmental justice. Through her research, she examined how patriarchal laws and policies continue to exclude women, particularly in mining. A key case study—the Kabwe Black Mountain—revealed how women engaged in small-scale mining were displaced from their own livelihoods. Despite setbacks, activism and legal battles have increased awareness among women miners about their rights, pushing them to advocate for fairer policies and greater inclusion in environmental and economic decision-making.
Indigenous women transforming urban spaces
Prof. Dr Melissa Schumacher, Professor and Researcher at the Universidad de las Américas Puebla, shared an example of the Nahua group, and the indigenous organisation called Masehual Sihuamej, where women have been questioning the impact of mining and natural resource exploitation in the mountains for over 40 years. In their local language, there is no difference between mother nature and people. This has helped the community remain resistant to the exploitation of natural resources and strengthens their activism.
Men navigating feminist ideas
As the only male faculty member in his gender studies department, Dr Saad Khan, a visiting fellow at the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS), initially faced scepticism about teaching feminist theory. His research focuses on how men in Pakistan, particularly those in gender studies, navigate feminist ideas. Through interviews with male faculty and students across the country, he found that while some fully embraced feminism, others struggled to break away from patriarchal norms. His findings shed light on the complexities of men’s involvement in gender discourse and the diverse ways they respond to feminist engagement.
Complexities and effective strategies
Dr Mandhu argued that society often labels women, children and marginalised groups as vulnerable which limits their opportunities. She advocates for a shift away from categorising people to fostering collaboration among diverse groups.
Ms Schumacher pointed out that in Mexcio labels are used as national policy to offer support. However, instead they often limit social mobility. Grassroots women’s organisations are challenging these labels and advocating for decolonisation in their efforts. For academics, engaging with these communities provides an opportunity to learn from their lived experiences and apply these insights in broader contexts, contributing to more effective and inclusive strategies for addressing marginalisation.
Dr Khan shared how the fourth wave of feminism in Pakistan played a pivotal role in expanding inclusivity, not only for women but also for transgender individuals and male allies. He emphasised the importance of examining masculinity through an intersectional lens, considering factors like ethnicity, religion, and state power. Saad pointed out that the patriarchal state treats different groups unequally, reinforcing systemic discrimination, and he stressed that addressing these complexities is crucial for achieving true inclusivity and justice.
Feminist research reshaping urban policies
When asked about how they envision feminist research reshaping urban policies and how these changes can be applied faster, the speakers shared:F
- Shift in education: A strong emphasis on incorporating gender-sensitive approaches into educational curricula, particularly in fields like law, medicine, urban planning, and architecture.
- Empowerment of communities: Encouraging the empowerment of marginalised communities, particularly indigenous groups, through co-research and policy engagement.
- Global solidarity: A call for global solidarity and collaboration in tackling anti-gender backlash and promoting gender justice worldwide.
- Critical masculinity: The need for critical research on masculinities to counteract toxic gender norms and to create positive male role models who advocate for gender equality.
"You classify women as vulnerable, children as vulnerable then society looks at them as vulnerable and I think it's time to change the narrative."
Dr Fatima Mandhu
Integrating feminist practices into research
At the end of the discussion, the panellists shared practical insights and recommendations for those aiming to integrate feminist principles into their research practice.
“Think about yourself, think about your positionality, reflect on where you are, and then connect yourself with the surroundings. I think having a feminist lens in your research would bring a kind of a perspective that is needed to the idea of gender justice.” - Dr Saad Khan
“Reflect on how you speak in your language or which vocabulary you use to talk about women, about elders, about vulnerable communities. Then you will see how even some jokes that you said are completely sexist and can hurt people. Reflect on how you talk, and then you will begin to be more empathetic to others.” - Prof. Dr Melissa Schumacher
“If we can have global activism, a change for women, by women, and affecting women, maybe we will bring it closer to the ground and have solutions from a legal aspect. I think that would be the greatest thing that we can achieve.” - Dr Fatima Mandhu
