Foucauldian Feminism: the Implications of Governmentality

Foucauldian discourse has stimulated debates amongst feminists concerning its usefulness for the feminist endeavour. A specific criticism centres around his concentration on the micro-strategies of power and the resultant implication for emancipatory practice. These arguments are countered by introducing Foucault's work on governmentality. Explores central tenets of this work that attempt to integrate micro- and macro-level analyses of power, grounding theoretical discussion with an analysis of some of the discursive constructions surrounding adolescent sexual and reproductive health in South Africa. Discusses the implication of governmentality for resistance and feminist political practice. (Original abstract - amended)