The Convergence Of Feminism And Law: An Overview Of Legal Methods And Theories
- IJLLR Journal
- Nov 6, 2025
- 1 min read
Saumya Patel, FIMT affiliated to GGSIPU
ABSTRACT
Feminist legal research adopts a multidimensional approach to examine the complex relationship between women and the legal system. It explores how laws, legal institutions, and judicial processes impact women differently and how structural inequalities are perpetuated through existing legal frameworks. The choice of legal methods plays a critical role in shaping perceptions about justice, reform, and equality within society. Feminist legal methods seek not only to critique and reform mainstream legal approaches but also to assert the autonomy of feminist legal theory as a distinct discipline.
By challenging traditional legal norms, feminist scholars highlight how the law often reflects patriarchal values and fails to address women’s lived realities. These methods aim to recover and validate marginalized voices, examine systemic discrimination, and develop strategies for social transformation. Through an intersectional lens, feminist legal research distinguishes that women’s experiences are diverse and influenced by factors such as class, caste, sexuality, and socio-economic status.
This paper provides an overview of the evolution of feminist legal perspectives and analyses how different schools of thought liberal, radical, socialist, and postmodern feminism have contributed to shaping feminist legal methodologies. It further examines the theoretical foundations underlying these approaches and their effectiveness in addressing gender- based inequities. By evaluating the strengths and limitations of feminist legal theories, the study emphasizes the need for inclusive and transformative legal practices. Ultimately, feminist legal methods aim to bridge the gap between law and lived experience, fostering equality, justice, and empowerment for all.
Keywords: Legal Method, Feminist, Legal Theory, Feminist Perspective.
