Discussing Decolonisation x International Women’s Day – An in-person workshop on colonialism, sexualised violence and global feminism today

To mark International Women’s Day this month, colleagues are invited to a workshop on campus exploring colonialism, sexualised violence and the importance of global feminism today. We will hear from Esther McIntosh, Professor of Feminist Theology and Ethics at YSJ, before moving to collective, facilitated discussion.

Title: Colonialism and Sexualised Violence: A Feminist Issue

Abstract: In this talk, Esther will discuss the use of sexualised violence as a weapon of war and a tool of colonisers. Sexualised violence is clearly a feminist issue, but perhaps not in the ways that you might think. The use of gendered concepts in respect of sexualised violence is problematic for victims and survivors. In addition, the emphasising of sexualised violence over other forms of humanitarian abuse separates sexualised violence from its entanglement with colonial power. What then is an appropriate response to sexualised violence from the perspective of a decolonial global feminism that understands local histories in their global contexts?  

Professor Esther McIntosh holds a BD (Hons) and PhD from the University of Aberdeen. Her work is interdisciplinary spanning philosophy of religion, theology and ethics, and is underpinned by a concern for gender justice. Her publications include ‘The Persistence of White Christian Patriarchy in a Time of Right-Wing Populism’, ‘Blurring the Borders: Christian Women Negotiating Off- and Online Spaces of Feminism and Misogyny’ and ‘The Trauma of Mothers: Motherhood, Violent Crime and the Christian Motif of Forgiveness’.

This event is part of the ‘Discussing Decolonisation’ event series for 2023-24, co-convened by Lucy Potter and Dr Laura Key from the Teaching & Learning Enhancement team. You can find out more and book your place at other events in the series here. You can also read more about our intentions for the series and community expectations here.

Booking:

Sign up for this session using our CPD event booking form.

Please note that this session is in-person only, and takes place on campus, in York (HG/136), on Friday 22 March, from 3.30-4.30pm.