Challenges of the Intergenerational Feminist Movement(s): Some Reflections

Abstract

This paper focuses on the feminist movement(s) today and the controversies that tend to permeate the notions of “waves” and “(inter)generations”. It falls within the scope of feminist media studies, in a line of approach that seeks to traverse feminist activisms and their communication strategies, including mainstream and alternative media and the digital and offline spaces of interaction. Throughout history, feminist movements have conducted several protests worldwide. Feminism has been asserting itself since the 19th century and its struggles have evolved, with current studies pointing to the existence of three “waves” of the feminist movement, each corresponding to different demands and conquests of rights for women. Some research, however, foretells the emergence of a fourth “wave” of the feminist movement, marked by the digital world, transnational demands, intersectionality, an intergenerational approach and the inclusion of new agendas and performance repertoires. In this paper, we will question the “wave” narrative to explain the inception and evolution process of the feminist movement and the challenges of intergenerational feminist movement(s) nowadays. This is a critical reflection, anchored in international scientific literature, that intersects feminist activism and the sphere of (online and offline) communication and the media. We will also include examples of feminist movements/initiatives/protests/projects how demonstrate nowadays it is crucial to talk and understand what the idea of “intergenerational feminisms” can mean, and what are its impacts in strategies of mobilization in diverse spaces and platforms.