The unnamed feminists: Doing the work without the label

I have been conducting feminist research almost all my working life. However, I kept saying I am not a feminist. I never explicitly indicated this approach in my methodology sections. I know I am not alone in this. Many colleagues prefer to sanitise the work. We avoid the feminist label while doing the core work of feminism.

This contradiction speaks to a wider reality across African research and development. It reveals the complex pressures we navigate. It also shows the quiet power of methods that centre justice without demanding ideological alignment.

The fear of the feminist label

Who is a feminist? What is feminism? In simple terms, you are a feminist if you believe in the social, economic and political equality of all genders. You do feminism if you actively challenge power structures that maintain inequality.

This definition strips away academic complexity. It centres on a fundamental commitment to equality. For many practitioners across Africa, this commitment drives their work daily. Yet they still avoid the label.

The reluctance is understandable. Feminism often appears as a Western import. It can seem antagonistic to men. It sometimes conflicts with local cultural values. These perceptions create professional and social risks. We sanitise our methodologies to secure funding. We avoid the term to build community trust.

Yet this avoidance has costs. When we fail to name our work as feminist, we weaken a global movement. We obscure the intellectual traditions guiding our methods. We miss the chance to redefine feminism on African terms.

Understanding feminist research methods

The principles of feminist research methods guide this work. They rest on one core idea. Knowledge is not neutral. Traditional research prizes objectivity and distance. Feminist research rejects this. It acknowledges that researcher identity and biases shape the process. It treats participants as partners in creating knowledge. This method is inherently political. It aims not just to understand the world but to change it.

Key principles define this approach. The work prioritises lived experiences of women and marginalised groups. It demands collaboration and knowledge co-creation. It requires reflexivity. Researchers must constantly examine their own role and influence. It is always action-oriented. Inquiry connects directly to advocacy and reform.

Consider a study on girls' education in northern Nigeria. A conventional approach might use surveys to measure dropout rates. A feminist approach would use in-depth interviews. It would organise discussions with mothers and community elders. This method uncovers social pressures and economic constraints that surveys miss. It reveals the system, not just the symptom.

Practical feminist research methods in action

Several specific methods bring these principles to life. They provide structured ways to conduct rigorous, transformative research.

Participatory Action Research (PAR) completely flattens the hierarchy between researcher and community. In PAR, local people help define the research questions. They collect and analyse data. They design and implement solutions based on the findings.

The application of PAR follows a clear process. Start by engaging community members to define the core issue. Use collaborative tools like focus groups or community mapping. Hold regular feedback sessions to adapt the process. Ensure the research leads to concrete actions.

A women's cooperative in Kenya used PAR to address water scarcity. The women mapped water points and collected data on collection times. They analysed how this workload affected their health and income. They used their findings to lobby the local council for a new well. The research became their advocacy tool.

Narrative inquiry is another powerful technique. This method focuses on collecting and analysing personal stories. It values individual experience as a source of deep social insight.

To use narrative inquiry effectively, create a safe and trusting environment. Use open-ended questions that allow for detailed storytelling. Analyse these stories for themes of power, resistance and identity.

In South Africa, narrative inquiry has documented experiences of female migrant traders. Their stories reveal how they navigate complex cross-border regulations and social prejudice. This nuanced understanding helps NGOs design better support programmes. Statistics show the number of traders. Stories show the challenges they face.

Feminist ethnography provides a third approach. This involves immersive, long-term fieldwork with a focus on gender and power dynamics. The researcher observes daily life to understand unspoken social rules.

Conducting feminist ethnography requires several steps. Spend extended time within a community. Pay close attention to gendered interactions and norms. Constantly reflect on your own position and how it affects your perspective.

A colleague studied a local fishing economy. By living in the community, she saw how women were excluded from owning boats. They processed and sold the catch but could not access capital. Her detailed observations informed a microfinance programme for boat ownership.

Integrating feminist research with policy and advocacy

Research must lead to action to have value. Feminist methods are uniquely suited for this. They produce evidence grounded in lived reality. This makes it compelling for policymakers and advocates.

Bridging the gap between research and policy requires a strategic approach. Engage policymakers from the beginning. This ensures the research addresses their needs. Translate complex findings into accessible formats. Use policy briefs or visual infographics.

Building strong coalitions is also essential. Partner with women's rights groups, activists and community leaders. They can amplify the findings and apply pressure for change. Finally, you must monitor the impact. Track how the research influences policy debates or community outcomes.

A clear example comes from Uganda. A research project used feminist methods to study maternal health. The findings highlighted the barrier of user fees. Advocates used this evidence in a campaign. They successfully pushed the government to abolish these fees. The research provided credible, human-centred data for policy change.

Reflecting on challenges and opportunities

Feminist research faces real difficulties. Power imbalances can persist even in collaborative models. Ensuring truly ethical participation takes significant time and resources. Securing funding for long-term, community-driven work remains a persistent challenge.

These challenges are not insurmountable. They present opportunities to deepen our ethical practice. We can overcome these obstacles with practical strategies.

Prioritise capacity building from the start. Train community members in research skills. This enables them to lead the process. Practice radical transparency about the goals and limitations of the work.

Seek out diverse funding sources. Look for grants that support participatory and action-oriented research. Foster networks of solidarity by connecting with other researchers and organisations. This builds a foundation of mutual support and shared learning.

Embracing feminist research for a more equitable future

Feminist research methods are a form of practical hope. They represent a commitment to listening deeply and questioning power structures. They provide a pathway to a world where equality and dignity are tangible realities.

This work invites us to be more than researchers. It asks us to be active participants in social change. By centring the voices of those often ignored, we challenge patriarchal norms. We help dismantle the structural inequalities that hold our societies back.

This approach is especially relevant for Africa. Our continent possesses immense knowledge and resilience. Feminist research methods provide a way to honour that knowledge. They turn local insight into a powerful force for a more just and equitable future.

I encourage you to reflect on where these principles appear in your own work. Notice where you already centre marginalised voices. Acknowledge where you challenge unequal power dynamics. This reflection is the first step toward naming and claiming the feminist work you may already do.