Feminism for the World

by Lola Olufemi, Françoise Vergès, Silvia Federici

In the years since #MeToo, misogyny, sexism and gender based violence have flooded the news and our social media timelines. Anti-privilege politics and intersectionality have entered the mainstream—systematically trolled on one end of the spectrum; embraced, to questionable ends, on the other. But what has this increased visibility entailed, other than the marketisation of the feminist struggle?

Feminism for the World argues that we have been witnessing an erasure of feminism as a long-term tradition, with its many conflicting histories and geographies of struggle elided and forgotten.

In this ground-breaking collection, eight leading international figures of contemporary feminism highlight feminist struggles and traditions from the Global South, presenting feminism as a project that is impossible without international solidarity from the West. In doing so they revive an authentic internationalism and propose paths for present and future generations.

Genres: Feminism, Nonfiction

176 pages, Paperback

Published August 20, 2025

Reviews

[Gustė]

'She enjoyed her work and repeatedly reminded us that (contrary to common assumption, and even some of Marx's arguments) work can be a pleasure if it is not done under compulsion, under conditions of scarcity and for the accumulation of wealth.'

[Sarah Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feminist, Sociological & Public Health Review of Feminism for the World by Lola Olufemi

As a public health practitioner steeped in feminist sociology, Olufemi’s work struck me like a lightning bolt – simultaneously electrifying and illuminating. This isn’t just another feminist manifesto; it’s a radical reimagining of collective care that bridges the personal and political in ways that profoundly resonate with health justice work.

Emotional & Intellectual Reactions
Reading this book felt like having a transformative dialogue across disciplines. Olufemi’s rejection of neoliberal “empowerment” feminism in favor of embodied solidarity mirrored my frustrations with public health’s tendency to individualize structural problems. Her concept of “the world as an experiment” (reminiscent of Dorothy Smith’s feminist sociology) made me reconsider public health interventions as living laboratories for feminist praxis.

I was particularly moved by the visceral descriptions of how systemic oppression materializes in bodies – an urgent reminder that health disparities are feminist issues. Yet, I also felt tension when Olufemi challenged institutional solutions; as someone working within systems, I wrestled with her skepticism of policy as a primary change lever.

Constructive Criticism

-Health Equity Bridges: While Olufemi brilliantly critiques medicalization, I craved explicit connections to public health frameworks like social determinants or reproductive justice.
-Institutional Engagement: The book’s grassroots focus, while vital, could benefit from addressing how to transform oppressive systems from within – a reality many health practitioners navigate.
-Global South Perspectives: As a work titled “for the World,” I noticed disproportionate engagement with Western feminist thought – surprising given Olufemi’s previous transnational work.

Professional Implications
This book fundamentally challenges public health to:
-Reject “band-aid” interventions that don’t address root causes
-Center pleasure and desire as valid health outcomes
-View communities not as “target populations” but co-creators

Thank you to the publisher and Edelweiss for this essential provocation. Feminism for the World is required reading for health workers who understand that true wellness requires dismantling all systems of oppression.

Rating: 4.8/5 (A visionary work that will linger in my practice – would benefit from deeper public health dialogue.)

Note: Olufemi’s work left me convinced that feminist sociology isn’t just complementary to public health – it’s the missing heartbeat of our field.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

This scholarly collection of essays features eight non-Western perspectives on feminist topics. These essays thoughtfully explore a variety of topics from internationalist and intersectional feminist perspectives. Topics include history, theory, mythology, and more. Though not preferable for introductory readers, this essay collection is an excellent choice for scholars in the fields of gender studies, feminist studies, political science, or other social studies.

Thanks to Pluto Press and Edelweiss for providing me with an eARC!

[Ioana Popescu · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5! Really enjoyed Lola Olufemi’s & Sayak Valencia’s essays! But wish they were all a bit longer, so they could all go more in depth. But might serve as a cute starting point for people who are not familiar with some of the ideas and contexts they are exploring!