 Radical feminism focuses on the theory of patriarchy.

 Patriarchy is a form of male dominance exercised by

society over women.
 Radical feminism argues that men inflict physical and sexual violence over women through
their supremacy which extends beyond the family, as it affects employment condition,
distribution of wealth, provision of opportunities among others.
 Such supremacy has been accepted as normal by society and it is the philosophy of the theory
that this supremacy can be challenged and changed.
 It was a branch that was formed during the second wave of feminism in the 1960s.
◦ The major difference between Radical Feminism and other branches is that they didn’t concentrate
on equalizing the distribution of power.
◦ Instead, they focused their efforts on completely eliminating patriarchy by transforming the entire
structure of society.
◦ More specifically, they wanted to get rid of the traditional gender (Alice Echols 1975)
- Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga
- Purple Hibiscus by Adichie
- She no longer Weeps by Tsitsi Dangarembga
- The Petals of Blood by Ngugi Wa Thiongo
- Stone Virgins by Ivonne Vera
- A cowrie of Hope
1. Reproductive rights for women, including freedom to make choices to give birth e.g
- abortion
- use of birth control
- get sterilized
2. Breaking down traditional gender roles in private relationships as well as in public policies.
3. Understanding rape as an expression of patriarchal power, not a seeking of sex
4. Understanding prostitution under patriarchy as oppression of women, sexually and economically
5. Promote lesbianism (Anne Koedt 1971)
- The women have gain equality
- The women are able to participate in elections
- The women are able to speak in public
- The women are able to demand their rights (Ellen Willis pp. 55-56)
- Genital difference. Some women think that a man and a woman should be equal in everything.
- Anti-male: they inseminate
- Readings: man and woman must be involved
- Many radical feminists prioritized the struggle against violence against women since they saw that
violence as upholding patriarchy. They were the driving force behind rape crisis and women subjected to
domestic violence. Their efforts successfully ended the silence about rape and domestic violence.