Unpacking feminist understandings of abolitionism in responding to gender-based violence: Theoretical insights towards a new framework

Abstract

In the aftermath of austerity measures and in the wake of a right-wing populist wave across the globe, the growing inequalities and diminishing rights endured by women and queer people call for a closer investigation of gender and gender-based violence. The spatial articulation of cities as a materialization of hetero-patriarchal power relations has become an essential place for the struggle against gender-based violence. It, thus, becomes crucial to investigate the challenge posed by feminist groups against these structures by unravelling power structures in public space and shaping solutions to gender-based violence. One crucial yet overlooked aspect is the development of transformative justice perspectives within feminist struggles to create inclusive and non-violent public spaces. Originating from prison abolitionist movements, this concept develops a community-based approach to justice, understanding the role of structural oppressions in the enactment of violence. Lying at the intersection between feminist geography, abolitionist thought, and social movement studies, this article advances a theoretical contribution to the understanding of collective action. With a comprehensive literature review considering these three strands, this article further investigates the interplay between social movements and justice, arguing for the advantages of incorporating a transformative justice perspective when looking at feminist practices to challenge gender-based violence. The argument is strengthened by exemplary cases of feminist groups adopting abolitionist perspectives and transformative practices. This theoretical work explores the potential of transformative justice in envisioning radical societal changes, as well as showing how this perspective complements feminist visions and repertoires of action.

Keywords: transformative justice, gender-based violence, abolitionism, social movements, feminism.