Lila Abu-Lughod, Rema Hammami, and Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian (eds.), The Cunning of Gender Violence: Geopolitics and Feminism (Duke University Press, 2023)

The Cunning of Gender Violence (Duke University Press, 2023) examines how a previously visionary feminist initiative has become integrated into contemporary global affairs. Addressing the issue of violence against women and gender-based violence has become a prominent and influential agenda within international governance and legal frameworks, as well as being entwined with state violence and global security measures. Through the use of case studies involving Palestine, Bangladesh, Iran, India, Pakistan, Israel, and Turkey, as well as an examination of UN and US policies, the book uncovers the gaps and exclusions in this agenda. It also delves into the experiences of those who have endured such violence, ultimately challenging the narrative that portrays this agenda as a resounding "feminist success story."

Due to the profound influence of religion and racialized ethnicity, particularly concerning the "Muslim question," within the institutional structures of this agenda, the contributors explore how it may inadvertently reinforce or support rationales and systems of power. This includes civilizational hierarchies that can harm the very individuals it aims to protect.

The book, coming out of the Religion and Global Framing of Gender Violence Working Group at CSSD, features contributions from a range of scholars and experts, including Lila Abu-Lughod, Nina Berman, Inderpal Grewal, Rema Hammami, Janet R. Jakobsen, Shenila Khoja-Moolji, Vasuki Nesiah, Samira Shackle, Sima Shakhsari, Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian, Dina M Siddiqi, Shahla Talebi, Leti Volpp, and Rafia Zakaria.