Introduction

Feminist theories of our social and political world retain their relevance in a contemporary context of persistent gender inequality. An exploration of how gender inequality impacts upon social work practice is necessary when we consider that women are more likely, for instance, to be in poverty (IFSW, 2012) and to be the focus of social work interventions and surveillance (Morriss, 2018).

Feminist theory and practice has often started with the ‘always place women first’ approach (Featherstone, 2001). However, an important and critical caveat is offered by Featherstone (2001) in her exploration of feminist social work practice, as she (analysing theoretical developments) cautions that social work needs to be ‘wary of exploring women in isolation’ and to interrogate traditional feminist theory and practice that has understood women only as victims and men only as problems. This chapter will situate these theoretical and practical tensions in their socio-political context.

To understand the current context of gender relations and their implications for social work we must first look to the historical context of gender theory, the emergence of feminist ideology and the developments therein. Two sections then follow, the first of which charts the theoretical context, including an outlining of key terms, an exploration of the emergence of the feminist movement and the subsequent ‘waves’ of feminism in the 20th century and an overview of the ideological underpinnings of the multiple schools of feminist thought. This section and the events and ideas that it narrates are historically contextualised, with a particular focus on how feminist action was in tension or harmony with the prevailing political ideology of the time.

The second of these two sections looks specifically to the implications of gender theory and formation, gender inequality and feminism for social work practice. The role of social work in addressing (and perpetuating) gender inequality will be explored, particularly in relation to poverty and inequality, oppression and discrimination and gendered violence. The chapter concludes with a comparative international case study, suggested further reading and critical questions that ask you to reflect on the relevance of feminist theory and action for contemporary social work practice.