Standpoint Epistemology to Problematize the Notorious Term of Feminism in Pakistan

Abstract

Despite decades of feminist scholarship, feminism is a controversial, contested term that is resisted across different socio-political contexts, raising questions about its legitimacy and sustainability. Demands for bodily autonomy and justice around domestic sphere are stigmatized as Western,elitist, and immoral.  Present research is drawn upon standpoint epistemology of (Smith, Sandra Harding & Collins) as theoretical guide to problematize the notorious term of feminism by including women’s lived experiences as epistemic resource.To understand the standpoint and perspective of feminists about tensions and to explore why this phenomenon is prejudiced and misunderstood.Sixteen key feminists from different organizations and groups were in-depth interviewed for data collection.Participates held positions as directors of the NGOs, Scholars, Lawyers and NGO workers. Thematic analysis was applied to analyze transcribed data. Findings situate feminism as socially and contextually relatable and provide evidence of merely working against the marginalization of women in a deeply patriarchal environment. Prolematizing feminism suggests that the sustainability of feminism in Pakistan is not defined by rejection but by the commitment of activists who redefine it from their own epistemic strength.Thus Voices and lived experiences of feminist activists count as knowledge for rethinking feminism in Pakistani context.