Multiculturalism and Liberal Feminism: An Analysis of Ayelet Shachar’s Transformative Accommodation Model
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33831/jws.v25i2.509Keywords:
Multiculturalism, Universalist Liberal Feminism, Women’s Rights, Cultural Rights, Transformative Accommodation Model, Ayelet ShacharAbstract
This paper examines the multifaceted perspective of multicultural feminism, focusing on the complex identities and cultural contexts of women. Emerging at the intersection of third-wave feminism and multiculturalism theory, this perspective challenges the universalizing model of women presented by orthodox liberal feminism, arguing that it neglects the significance of cultural context and the distinctive experiences of women from minority groups. Multicultural feminism advocates for anuanced approach between individual rights and group belonging, enabling women to (re)define themselves and achieve liberation while preserving both their individual rights and cultural identities. Ayelet Shachar, a prominent figure in multicultural feminism, has developed the concept of “transformative accommodation,” which aims to foster gender equality while upholding cultural diversity. This conceptual framework proposes a structure based on shared authority between state and group authorities in the judicial and public service spheres, offering a comprehensive perspective for women’s empowerment and the realization of their rights. This study investigates how multicultural feminism, particularly through Shachar’s theoretical contributions, provides a crucial conceptual framework for rethinking the relationship between religion and state, thereby facilitating the construction of a more inclusive and pluralistic society. It further demonstrates how this perspective offers a novel approach to the struggle for gender equality.
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