ABSTRACT

This chapter examines the enduring relevance of social justice feminism in an era when there is a common misconception that the goals of gender parity have been recognised and mainstreamed. It argues that a renewed interest in social justice feminism is focused on action to institute structural changes in relation to ongoing issues for women relating to paid work, unpaid care work in the home, culture and identity, sexuality, domestic violence and state welfare. The chapter focuses on Nancy Fraser’s (1989, 1997, 2000, 2008, 2009) theory of social justice as one which acknowledges the complexity of examining the various dimensions of justice within contemporary welfare. It begins with an examination of social justice feminism and its key features and ends with the service-user movement as a site for direct engagement to undermine neoliberal reprivatisation discourse.