Seeking solidarities: a feminist analysis of the discourses on solidarity between activists interested in transforming masculinities
The interests of this thesis lie in the way in which solidarities are imagined within the South African feminist movement, one which is deeply conscious of the intersectional nature of gender and of the politics of sexuality as part and parcel of any analysis of social justice concerns. Theoretically informed by the work of Castells, Hassim, and other theorists exploring the dynamics of ‘movement building,’ the thesis focuses upon the discourses of solidarity used within one particular feminist organisation as it imagines new alliances. The organisation (Sonke Gender Justice Network) concentrates on the work of transforming violent hegemonic masculinities and plans to develop programmes working with new partners whose work focuses on justice and the lives of transgendered, lesbian, gay, and intersex people and communities (‘LGBTI’). The research draws on qualitative data drawn from interviews with Sonke staff and on the researcher’s own experience as an intern within the organisation, and analyses the material in order to explore the shape and implications of discourses on new alliances. The conclusions of the thesis speak to the complexities of imagining solidarity across differences of theory, identity, and experience.
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