Feminist Fusion: A Year of Global Sisterhood and Struggle

2022 witnessed a year of significant feminist activism, driven by a range of social, political, and economic issues. These movements, though diverse in their contexts, collectively underscored the ongoing global struggle for women's rights. This study examines the global intersectionality of these activisms, focusing on the women's protests in Iran (known as Women, Life, Freedom) and the international solidarity they received, particularly from U.S. feminists. In Iran, protests initially opposing hijab laws evolved into a broader resistance against authoritarianism. Concurrently, in the U.S., the reversal of Roe v. Wade spurred a movement against conservative policies and the erosion of reproductive rights. This research argues that despite differing sociopolitical environments, women in both countries not only challenged patriarchal structures but also critiqued the dominance of white feminism, fostering a more inclusive and intersectional approach while unfolding new possibilities for women’s autonomy at the same time. Drawing on the theoretical frameworks of Hardt and Negri’s Empire, Twenty Years On (2019) and Julian Go's Postcolonial Thought and Social Theory (2016), this study explores how "Woman, Life, Freedom" functioned as part of "intersectional multitudes," confronting gendered oppression and broader forces of capitalism and authoritarianism. Highlighting the commonalities between Iranian women and U.S. feminists and activists, this paper emphasizes how these movements globalized their voices to effect systemic change. Using online reports, scientific articles on the globalization of feminist movements and archives, this research will contribute to understanding the global feminist movements and highlight the emergence of new forms of solidarity and resistance that are reshaping the global feminist landscape and contributing to the broader project of decolonizing knowledge. It further shows that women's protests in 2022 were not isolated and localized but gained international support and recognition, ultimately creating new forms of alliances against oppression and injustice.