Feminism, Multiculturalism, Oppression, and the State

Some feminists have recently charged multicultural theorists of ignoring the rights of women in their arguments to secure group rights.Too often, these feminists charge, group rights are used to subordinate women.Group rights may appear fair in the abstract but in fact they often mean giving rights to the particular leaders of these groups; when these leaders are men with a traditional view of the world, as they often are, then it is hardly surprising, though certainly disturbing, that group rights are often used to oppress women.The most persuasive part of the feminist argument is against what Ayelet Shachar calls 'strong multiculturalism,' but what I will call group autonomy; this form of multiculturalism gives groups power over its members through "strong formal and legal recognition."'This multiculturalism concentrates on justice between groups, ignoring justice within groups.Nothing is done when the group uses its rights to oppress women, even though, according to Martha Nussbaum, in the case of religion, "we should not accept the idea that denying any fundamental right of any individual is a legitimate prerogative of a religious group."2 Since some groups discriminate against women, group autonomy often undermines women's rights and equality.Though the liberal state usually ought to support autonomy and equality, there are times when it should refrain from doing so.