Title: Women and Fascism

Author/Artist: Martin Durham

Publisher: Routledge

Media: Book

Reviewer: Pan

On the face of it the relationship between women and fascism should be crystal clear. Fascism represents a reactionary ideology, which although it can mask itself in revolutionary-sounding rhetoric, will push women back into traditional gender roles, and as such should have no appeal to women. It is this simplistic view that Martin Durham tackles in 'Women and Fascism'. Drawing on the experience of fascist Italy, Nazi Germany and on many of the pre-war and post-war fascist movements, the book ably shows that the relationship between women and fascism is more complex than would at first appear. Given the disparate ideological strands which make up fascism, it is no surprise that there are competing views of femininity at work. Whilst the practice of fascist movements in power is often extremely patriarchal, the book shows that this practice is often modified to suit the requirements of the moment. When capitalism needs women in the workplace, then even a reactionary regime like Hitler's will modify it's stance and allow women out of the kitchen again.

More importantly, fascism has been able at various times appeal to large numbers of women, both as voters and, more significantly, as activists. For example there were a number of suffragettes active in Oswald Mosley's British Union of Fascists. The phrase 'fascist feminists' was not necessarily viewed as a contradiction in terms by these women and their supporters. And, as contemporary experience shows, fascism can still appeal to women as voters and as political activists. Although there are more men than women active in groups such as the BNP, this is also true for most other political movements too. If we ignore this then we risk allowing fascism to create a larger constituency amongst women than has been the case so far.

To dismiss fascism as inherently anti-feminist and therefore of no appeal to women is to dangerously underestimate it. Reading this book certainly sheds new light on the subject, and it's recommended to those involved in gender politics as well as the anti-fascist struggle.