Work

Islamic Feminism and Peacebuilding in Bangsamoro: Redefining Women's Empowerment Beyond Liberal Norms

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT This article examines Islamic feminism as a culturally grounded framework for women's empowerment and peacebuilding in post‐conflict Bangsamoro, Philippines. Global empowerment frameworks tend to prioritize individual autonomy and universal gender equality but often overlook the sociocultural and religious contexts shaping women's lived experiences. In contrast, Islamic feminism, understood as a reformist discourse grounded in the reinterpretation of Islamic texts and principles, offers a locally grounded approach that enables Bangsamoro women to collectively assert agency, negotiate leadership, and engage in strategic alliances with male religious authorities while remaining rooted in faith and community. The study employs a mixed‐methods design, combining desk‐based literature review with qualitative data from online interviews and a focus group discussion. The findings reveal that religious legitimacy, collective action, and collaborative alliances are central to women's empowerment, contributing to localized peacebuilding efforts such as conflict mediation, social cohesion, and the strengthening of moral authority in the community. This article argues that Islamic feminism presents a viable alternative to Western empowerment models, offering a more inclusive and contextually relevant framework for advancing gender equality in post‐conflict Muslim societies. It contributes to feminist peacebuilding scholarship by foregrounding localized, faith‐informed, and collaborative approaches to empowerment that reshape conventional understandings of women's leadership and gender justice.

Source: Peace &amp Change

DOI: 10.1111/pech.70050

Author: Haironesah Domado

Institution: George Mason University

Language: English

Topic: Gender, Security, and Conflict

Subfield: Gender Studies

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Gender equality, Peace, justice, and strong institutions, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,140