Lady Morgana

Marxist Feminism

Marxist feminism analyzes the ways in which capitalism intersects with patriarchy, arguing that the liberation of women is inextricably linked to the overthrow of capitalist structures. It posits that women’s oppression is rooted in the capitalist system, which exploits and commodifies labor, including unpaid domestic work.

Logo/Symbol/Flag of Marxist Feminism

Ideology

Marxist feminism posits that the struggles against class oppression and gender oppression are deeply intertwined. The capitalist system, which relies on the exploitation of labor for profit, exacerbates gender inequalities by assigning different roles and values to men and women. Women are often relegated to lower-paid, lower-status jobs and are burdened with unpaid domestic labor. This division not only reinforces gender hierarchies but also supports the capitalist economy by providing a reserve army of labor that can be exploited as needed.

The intersection of class and gender is evident in the way women’s labor is devalued both in the marketplace and at home. While men are more likely to be employed in jobs that are directly productive and remunerated, women often perform reproductive labor—tasks such as child-rearing, caregiving, and household management—that, although essential for the functioning of society, are unpaid and undervalued. This dynamic creates a dual system of oppression where women are disadvantaged both as workers and as caretakers.

“Komsomol, you have, a clear sky and a wide field for your exploits!” Soviet Feminist poster, 1967

Capitalism has a profound impact on women’s social and economic status, often exacerbating existing gender inequalities. Under capitalism, labor is commodified, and the value of work is measured in terms of its ability to generate profit. This commodification leads to a devaluation of work traditionally done by women, such as caregiving and household tasks, which are not seen as directly profitable.

Moreover, capitalist economies tend to reinforce gendered divisions of labor. Women are disproportionately represented in low-wage, precarious employment sectors such as retail, hospitality, and domestic work. These jobs often lack benefits, job security, and opportunities for advancement. Additionally, the gender wage gap persists, with women earning less than men for comparable work. This economic disparity is not merely a reflection of individual discrimination but a structural feature of capitalist economies that benefit from maintaining a pool of low-cost, flexible labor.

Critique on Marxism

Communism has been critiqued by Marxist feminists for its inadequate attention to gender issues. Marxist feminists argue that Marxism’s focus on production and economic relations needs to be expanded to include the reproduction of labor power, which encompasses the domestic and caregiving work predominantly performed by women. This reproductive labor is essential to the functioning of capitalism but has been largely ignored in Marxist analysis. By integrating an understanding of gender oppression into Marxist theory, Marxist feminists aim to create a more comprehensive framework for analyzing and challenging the structures of domination in capitalist societies.

Household Labor

Household labor, often referred to as reproductive labor, includes activities such as cooking, cleaning, childcare, and eldercare. While this labor is essential for the maintenance and reproduction of the workforce, it is unpaid and undervalued. Marxist feminists emphasize that reproductive labor is a critical component of the economy, as it sustains the workers who participate in the formal labor market.

The economic value of household labor can be illustrated by considering the costs that would be incurred if these tasks were outsourced to the market. For example, hiring domestic workers, nannies, or caregivers involves significant expenses, highlighting the substantial economic contribution of unpaid household labor. However, because this labor is performed within the private sphere and is not directly remunerated, it remains “invisible”.

Women’s work is exploited in both domestic and public spheres under capitalism. In the domestic sphere, women perform unpaid labor that is essential for the daily functioning of households and the broader economy. This unpaid labor subsidizes the capitalist system by reducing the costs of reproducing the labor force. In the public sphere, women are often employed in low-wage, insecure jobs that offer little in terms of benefits or career advancement.

The exploitation of women’s labor is also evident in the global economy. For instance, women in developing countries are frequently employed in garment factories, agricultural work, and other industries characterized by poor working conditions and low pay. This global division of labor highlights how capitalism relies on the exploitation of women’s work across different contexts and scales.

Marxist feminism provides a critical lens for analyzing contemporary economic systems, revealing how gender and class intersect to perpetuate inequality. This analysis involves examining the ways in which policies, labor market dynamics, and social welfare systems impact women differently than men.

Economic policies, characterized by deregulation, privatization, and austerity measures, have disproportionately affected women. Cuts to public services and social welfare programs shift the burden of care work onto households, where women are typically the primary caregivers. This shift exacerbates gender inequalities by increasing women’s unpaid labor and limiting their opportunities for paid employment.

Labor market dynamics also reveal gendered patterns of exploitation. Women are overrepresented in part-time, temporary, and low-wage jobs, which often lack benefits and job security. The gig economy, which has grown rapidly in recent years, exemplifies these trends, with many women working in precarious conditions without access to labor protections.

Case Studies

  1. The Gender Wage Gap: Despite progress in education and workforce participation, the gender wage gap persists. In many countries, women earn significantly less than men for similar work. This gap is often attributed to occupational segregation, discrimination, and the undervaluation of work typically performed by women.
  2. Precarious Employment: Women are more likely to be employed in precarious jobs with low pay and limited benefits. For example, in the retail and hospitality sectors, women often work part-time or on temporary contracts, making them vulnerable to economic instability.
  3. Global Supply Chains: In global supply chains, women in developing countries are employed in labor-intensive industries such as textiles and agriculture. These jobs are characterized by low wages, long hours, and poor working conditions. The exploitation of women’s labor in these contexts highlights the global dimensions of capitalist oppression.
  4. Austerity Measures: In response to economic crises, many governments have implemented austerity measures, cutting public services and social welfare programs. These cuts disproportionately affect women, who are more likely to rely on public services for healthcare, childcare, and other forms of support. As a result, austerity measures increase women’s unpaid labor and exacerbate gender inequalities.

History

Marxist feminism emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a response to the rise of feminism. Mainstream feminism tended to emphasize gender issues without adequately addressing the economic structures that underpinned gender inequality. Marxist feminism sought to bridge this gap by integrating the analysis of class and gender, positing that women’s liberation could only be achieved through the overthrow of capitalist systems.

Key Figures

  • Clara Zetkin: A German Marxist theorist and activist, Zetkin was a leading figure in the socialist women’s movement. She played a crucial role in organizing the International Socialist Women’s Conferences and advocated for women’s rights within the socialist framework.
  • Alexandra Kollontai: A Russian revolutionary and theorist, Kollontai was one of the first to articulate a comprehensive Marxist feminist theory. She emphasized the importance of communal living arrangements and socialized domestic work to liberate women from traditional gender roles.
  • Rosa Luxemburg: Although primarily known for her contributions to Marxist theory and revolutionary activism, Luxemburg also addressed women’s issues, particularly in the context of working-class struggles.
  • Louise Michel: An influential figure in the Paris Commune, Michel was a staunch advocate for women’s rights and socialist principles.
  • Eleanor Marx: Daughter of Karl Marx, she was a translator, writer, and activist who applied her father’s theories to women’s emancipation.
  • Sylvia Pankhurst: A British suffragette and socialist, Pankhurst integrated feminist and socialist ideas in her activism and writings.
  • Shulamith Firestone: A key figure in the second wave of feminism, her work “The Dialectic of Sex” blended Marxist and feminist theory.

Role in the Soviet Union

In the Soviet Union, Marxist feminism played a significant role in shaping policies related to gender equality. The Revolution of 1917, influenced by Marxist principles, led to progressive changes in women’s rights. Alexandra Kollontai, in particular, was instrumental in advocating for the socialization of domestic labor and the establishment of communal facilities like nurseries and kitchens. These measures aimed to free women from the confines of domestic work and allow them to participate fully in the workforce and political life.

Role in China

In China, the Revolution led by Mao Zedong also incorporated Marxist feminist ideas, advocating for the emancipation of women as part of the broader socialist project. The Chinese Communist Party promoted women’s participation in the workforce and political life. The Marriage Law of 1950, for instance, aimed to abolish feudal practices such as arranged marriages and foot binding, promoting gender equality in marriage and family life.

Role in Japan

In Japan, Marxist feminism gained traction during the post-World War II era. The Japanese Women’s Liberation Movement, which emerged in the 1970s, drew on Marxist feminist ideas to challenge both the patriarchal family structure and capitalist exploitation. Prominent figures like Chizuko Ueno played a significant role in integrating Marxist feminist theory into the broader feminist movement in Japan.

Iran’s Islamic “Revolution”

Before the revolution, Iran had a vibrant feminist movement that was part of the broader political struggle against the Shah’s authoritarian regime. Women from various backgrounds, including secular, religious, and Marxist feminists, played significant roles in the anti-Shah protests. These women sought to address issues such as gender equality, political representation, and social justice. Despite differing ideologies, there was a shared goal of overthrowing the Pahlavi monarchy and establishing a more democratic and just society.

Marxist feminists in particular emphasized the intersection of gender and class oppression, critiquing both the patriarchal structures and the capitalist elements of the Shah’s regime. They were active in organizing strikes, protests, and educational campaigns aimed at raising awareness about women’s issues and advocating for systemic change.

Photo of Googoosh during the revolution/civil war in 1979.

The revolution, which succeeded in toppling the Shah in February 1979, was initially a moment of celebration for many Iranians who had long opposed his rule. However, the diverse coalition that had united against the Shah quickly fractured as the new Islamic regime began consolidating power. Ayatollah Khomeini and his followers moved swiftly to implement their vision of an Islamic state, which included rolling back many of the rights and freedoms that women had gained.

One of the regime’s first actions was to dismantle the Family Protection Law, which had granted women greater rights in marriage, divorce, and child custody. The new government mandated that women adhere to strict dress codes, including wearing the hijab, and segregated public spaces by gender. These changes were enforced with increasing severity, leading to widespread disillusionment and resistance among women who had hoped the revolution would bring greater freedom and equality.

The regime’s crackdown on feminist activists was swift and brutal. Feminists, including those who had been part of the anti-Shah movement, were now seen as threats to the new order. Marxist feminists, in particular, faced severe repression due to their political beliefs and their involvement in opposition activities. The government viewed them as subversive elements that needed to be eliminated to secure the stability of the Islamic state.

Many feminist activists were arrested, tortured, and executed. The revolutionary courts, known for their summary trials and harsh sentences, targeted anyone suspected of dissent, including feminists. The atmosphere of fear and repression silenced many voices, and those who managed to escape arrest often went into hiding or fled the country.

Several prominent feminists were executed during the early years of the Islamic Republic. These women had been vocal advocates for gender equality and social justice, and their deaths were significant losses for the feminist movement in Iran.

  • Azar Majedi: A prominent Marxist feminist, Majedi was an active member of the Workers’ Communist Party of Iran. She was known for her outspoken criticism of both the Shah’s regime and the Islamic Republic’s policies towards women. Majedi was arrested in the early 1980s and executed after a summary trial.
  • Monir Ghaedi: Another key figure in the Marxist feminist movement, Ghaedi was involved in organizing protests and raising awareness about women’s rights. She was arrested in 1983 and executed shortly thereafter.
  • Mina Rezaei: An advocate for workers’ rights and gender equality, Rezaei played a significant role in the feminist movement prior to the revolution. She was detained by the revolutionary authorities in 1981 and faced execution for her political activities.
  • Marzieh Ahmadi Oskooi: A Marxist feminist and a member of the Fedayeen-e Khalq, Oskooi was actively involved in the struggle against the Shah and later opposed the Islamic Republic. She was captured and executed in 1982.

These executions were part of a broader pattern of repression that targeted not only feminists but also other political dissidents, intellectuals, and minority groups. Thousands of Women were tortured, raped, forced to marriage under death treats, jailed, humiliated, and executed.

However, the legacy of the feminist movement did not disappear. Many women continued to resist in more subtle and private ways, finding ways to navigate and challenge the restrictions imposed by the regime. Over time, new generations of Iranian feminists have emerged, drawing inspiration from the struggles of their predecessors and living feminist legends like Googoosh, while adapting their strategies to the current political context.

Over the years Feminists, including Marxist feminists, despite challenges and anti-feminist hate continue on the feminist movement in Iran. (see history of Iran, for more)

Russia And the Third Wave of Feminism

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in the 1990s, Russia saw a resurgence of interest in Marxist feminist ideas as part of the broader post-Soviet feminist movement. Activists sought to address the gendered impacts of the transition to a market economy, which disproportionately affected women through job losses, increased domestic burdens, and the erosion of social services. Marxist feminists in Russia continued to critique the capitalist system and advocate for social policies that promote gender equality.

During the third wave of feminism, which began in the 1990s, Marxist feminism continued to evolve, integrating insights from other critical theories such as intersectionality. Third-wave feminists emphasized the interconnectedness of various forms of oppression, including those based on class, race, gender, and sexuality. Marxist feminists contributed to this discourse by highlighting the economic dimensions of gender inequality and advocating for systemic change to address the root causes of women’s oppression.

Marxist Feminism Today

Marxist feminism today continues to evolve, integrating insights from various critical theories and adapting to contemporary social and economic conditions.

This includes examining how globalization, neoliberal policies, and international labor markets exploit women. By analyzing these global dynamics, Marxist feminists highlight the interconnectedness of local and global struggles and the need for solidarity across borders.

Intersectionality, a concept popularized by Kimberlé Crenshaw, has become a vital component of contemporary Marxist feminism. Intersectional Marxist feminism examines how various systems of oppression intersect and reinforce each other, creating complex and multifaceted forms of discrimination and exploitation. This approach helps to address criticisms that traditional Marxist feminism sometimes overlooked issues of race, ethnicity, and sexuality.

By integrating intersectionality, Marxist feminists can more effectively analyze the diverse experiences of women within different socio-economic and cultural contexts. This intersectional lens also informs strategies for activism and organizing, ensuring that movements for social and economic justice are inclusive and representative of all marginalized groups.

  • Labor Rights and Economic Justice: Modern Marxist feminists continue to advocate for fair wages, safe working conditions, and the rights of workers. They are particularly focused on the plight of low-wage and precarious workers, many of whom are women. Campaigns for a living wage, paid family leave, and unionization are central to their activism. Additionally, they critique the gig economy and its impact on workers, emphasizing the need for stronger labor protections.
  • Reproductive Rights: Reproductive rights remain a crucial issue for Marxist feminists. They argue that access to reproductive healthcare, including contraception and abortion, is essential for women’s autonomy and economic independence. By linking reproductive rights to broader economic and social justice issues, they advocate for comprehensive healthcare reforms that serve the needs of all women, particularly those from marginalized communities.
  • Environmental Justice: Many contemporary Marxist feminists are also involved in environmental activism, recognizing the intersections between environmental degradation, capitalism, and gender oppression. They highlight how environmental issues disproportionately affect women, especially those in impoverished and marginalized communities. Advocating for sustainable practices and policies, Marxist feminists emphasize the need for an ecological approach to economic justice.

Modern Marxist Feminism vs. Modern Feminism, LGBTQ+ and Movements like Femen

Marxist feminism today stands out as a distinct and comprehensive strand within the broader feminist movement, prioritizing the liberation of all women through the dismantling of capitalist and patriarchal structures.

1. Economic Focus vs. Identity Politics:

  • Modern Marxist Feminism: Centers its analysis on the intersection of class and gender oppression. It argues that capitalism is fundamentally incompatible with women’s liberation because it relies on the exploitation of labor, including unpaid domestic labor traditionally performed by women. Marxist feminists emphasize the need for systemic economic change to achieve true gender equality.
  • Modern Feminism: Often focuses on identity politics, emphasizing gender identity and individual rights. While modern feminism addresses important issues like reproductive rights, sexual harassment, and representation, it lacks a systemic critique of capitalism.

2. Inclusive and Intersectional Approach:

  • Modern Marxist Feminism: Strives to address the needs of all women, especially those marginalized by race, class, and occupation. It advocates for the rights of immigrants, black women, and sex workers, emphasizing solidarity and collective action. Marxist feminists argue that true liberation requires addressing economic disparities that disproportionately affect these groups.
  • Modern Feminism: While it has increasingly adopted intersectional approaches, it sometimes struggles to fully integrate issues of class and economic justice. As a result, mainstream feminist movements can inadvertently prioritize the concerns of more privileged women.

3. Reproductive Labor and Domestic Work:

  • Modern Marxist Feminism: Highlights the economic value of reproductive labor (household work, childcare) and its exploitation under capitalism. Marxist feminists call for the socialization of domestic work and policies that support working-class women, such as universal childcare and paid family leave.
  • Modern Feminism: Often addresses issues related to work-life balance and parental leave but not explicitly link these issues to broader critiques of capitalism.

4. Class-Based Analysis vs. Identity-Based Advocacy:

  • Modern Marxist Feminism: While supportive of human rights, it integrates these concerns within a broader framework of class struggle and economic justice. Marxist feminists argue that LGBTQ+ liberation is tied to dismantling capitalist structures that exploit all marginalized groups.
  • LGBTQ+: Primarily focuses on issues of sexual orientation and gender identity, advocating for equal rights, legal protections, and social acceptance. Often centers on identity politics and individual rights, which can sometimes overlook the economic dimensions of oppression.

5. Comprehensive Social Change vs. Legislative and Cultural Gains:

  • Modern Marxist Feminism: Seeks comprehensive social change, advocating for a socialist society where all forms of exploitation are eradicated. This includes addressing economic inequalities that affect LGBTQ+ individuals.
  • LGBTQ+: Often focuses on achieving specific legislative and cultural gains, such as marriage equality, anti-discrimination laws, and visibility in media.

6. Emphasis on Collective Liberation:

  • Modern Marxist Feminism: Emphasizes collective liberation and solidarity among all oppressed groups. It argues that true liberation can only be achieved through a unified struggle against capitalist exploitation.
  • LGBTQ+: While it also advocates for solidarity, its focus on identity lead to fragmentation and a less unified approach to broader systemic issues.

7. Femen

  • Modern Marxist Feminism: Engages in serious, in-depth analysis and advocacy, focusing on systemic changes to address economic and gender inequalities. It prioritizes the well-being and rights of all women, advocating for policies that address the root causes of oppression.
  • Femen: Known for its provocative and confrontational tactics, Femen uses shock value to draw attention to issues of gender inequality. While their actions generate media coverage, these tactics overshadow substantive policy discussions and alienate potential allies.
  • Modern Marxist Feminism: Inclusive and intersectional, focusing on the needs of the most marginalized women, including immigrants, black women, and sex workers. Marxist feminists advocate for the decriminalization of sex work and support for sex workers while fighting to end prostitution by addressing the economic conditions that force women into it.
  • Femen: Femen are not addressing intersectional concerns and for using predominantly white, cisgender women in its actions, which can marginalize other voices within the feminist movement.
  • Modern Marxist Feminism: Advocates for systemic change through collective action and policy reform, aiming to dismantle both capitalist and patriarchal structures.
  • Femen: Often engages in symbolic acts of protest that highlight gender inequality but may not always connect these actions to broader systemic critiques or concrete policy proposals.

Marxist feminism distinguishes itself by its commitment to a comprehensive analysis of class and gender oppression, prioritizing the liberation of all women through systemic economic and social change.

Unlike mainstream feminism, which focus more on identity politics and individual rights, Marxist feminism integrates a class-based analysis and advocates for policies that address the root causes of inequality.

It also stands apart from the LGBTQ+ movement by emphasizing the intersection of economic and identity-based oppression and from movements like Femen by prioritizing substantive, inclusive activism over shock tactics. In doing so, Marxist feminism remains a serious and essential force within the broader struggle for gender equality,social justice and a better world.

Deeper Reading

Marxist Feminism Organizations and Political Parties

Woman, Life, Freedom

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