Beyond the Ballot: How Radical Feminism Can Lead the Fight for Women’s Rights
Meeting Women’s Real Needs in an Era of Ideologically Captured Feminism
The recent election has created a unique opportunity for radical feminism to establish itself as the common-sense, reality-based alternative to mainstream liberal feminism, which too often sidelines women’s rights in favor of ideology. With an incoming administration less focused on fringe issues, radical feminism can emerge as a movement dedicated to defending the sex-based rights of women and girls—championing single-sex spaces, fair competition in women’s sports, and opposing the commodification of women’s bodies through commercial surrogacy, prostitution, and pornography. Now is the time for radical feminism to make itself a home for disaffected women seeking a movement that truly addresses their needs and priorities.
This summer, at WDI USA’s National Women’s Convention, I facilitated a panel titled “Building Bridges to Amplify Women’s Liberation,” where we explored strategies to expand radical feminism’s reach. Panelists with a range of backgrounds shared insights on strengthening the women’s liberation movement by reaching women who may not typically align themselves with radical feminism. Their message was clear: our movement must evolve to become accessible to a broader base. This election has shown how many women feel unheard and are ready for a movement that prioritizes their needs in a tangible way.
In the wake of this election, many women are turning to historical feminist organizations like the Women’s March, the National Organization for Women (NOW), and Planned Parenthood—only to find these groups no longer prioritize women’s sex-based rights. These ideologically captured organizations have drifted from their original missions, often focusing on agendas that marginalize or dismiss women’s needs in favor of trendy ideological battles. As women turn away from these groups, they need a new home—one that doesn’t simply profit from their concerns but truly addresses them with integrity and dedication. Radical feminist organizations can be that home. With the right messaging and strategies, we can ensure women know we’re ready to welcome them, meeting them where they are to fight for our shared rights and needs.
To fully realize this potential, we must be prepared to reach across demographics, welcoming working-class women, mothers, older women, and otherwise marginalized women who share our concerns. Radical feminist messaging must be accessible and practical, inviting women disillusioned with liberal feminism to join a movement that is both empowering and protective. Traditional forms of outreach like mailings—which offer a tangible, lasting impact that digital campaigns often lack—can be effective in mobilizing women across age groups. We can maximize our impact by using a blend of approaches to reach women in ways that feel natural to them, ensuring that our message resonates deeply.
Mothers of all ages are a crucial demographic, driven by the desire to create a just and equitable world for their children. They naturally bridge generational divides, connecting with their own mothers, daughters, and peers. By reaching out to mothers through local women’s groups and sharing essential information—such as the risks that gender identity policies pose in public accommodations, prisons, and sports, along with real-world examples and shedding light on the financial interests fueling the gender industrial complex—we empower them to become strong advocates within their communities. Equipped with this knowledge, they can take a decisive stand and champion policies that genuinely protect the rights of women and children.
We must also address a critical issue within our movement: the tendency to view traits associated with femininity as weaknesses. Empathy, collaboration, adaptability, and emotional intelligence—traits often labeled “feminine”—are, in reality, powerful tools for fostering unity and strength. Instead of seeing these traits as less productive or distancing ourselves from them to avoid the label of ‘performing femininity,’ we can embrace these strengths as vital to enriching our movement and building solidarity. Radical feminism should respect each woman’s unique qualities and focus on dismantling the structures that impose restrictive gender roles on us all.
Let’s champion radical feminism as a practical feminism that resonates across demographics, appealing to women who want to protect women’s and girls’ rights without rigid ideological demands. Together, we can create a strong coalition of advocates, rooted in solidarity and common sense, to advance the sex-based rights of women and girls.
This election was not the finish line. Our work continues, and while a shift in leadership may pave the way, it is up to us to keep women’s sex-based rights at the forefront. By building a coalition of women from all walks of life, radical feminism can secure a future where women’s rights and autonomy are actively defended, creating a safer, more equitable society for generations to come.
If you're a woman seeking a feminist home that upholds and respects the sex-based rights of women and girls, consider connecting with organizations in the United States that are dedicated to this mission: Women’s Declaration International USA (WDI USA), Women’s Liberation Front (WOLF), and Feminists In Struggle (FIST). These groups provide a space for women to unite in defense of our rights and to push for meaningful change.