Between Peripherality and Privilege: “Women Wage Peace” as a Case Study of Intersectionality Practices in Women’s Movements

Abstract

Abstract This article analyzes Women Wage Peace (WWP), an Israeli grassroots peace movement, as a case study of intersectionality in women’s movements. Using an ethnographic model based on semi-structured interviews with previous and current movement members, I investigate the dilemmas and strategies of WWP in its pursuit of a diverse membership base, a goal considered unique in Israeli peace discourse. This study contributes to understanding intersectional theory and practice, explaining why such an approach is not (always) effective in women’s movements despite the best intentions. Examining WWP through the lens of peripherality and privilege highlights the movement’s hierarchical power structure, identifying the places where intersectional awareness does not translate into political practice. By providing examples of the challenges of intersectionality in women’s movements, these findings offer a response to the need for more nuanced analysis in current feminist and social movement research.