Sexe et démocratie

Long seen as a “hiccup” in social struggles (Fraisse, 2020), feminism is now asserting itself as a major political, intellectual and social force, becoming one of the main driving forces behind global transformations. Today, a central and structuring axis of the feminist debate revolves around the essential notion of consent, or more precisely the capacity and right to consent. This notion builds a bridge between the public and private spheres, between feminism and democracy, helping to redefine the latter. In this context, the limits and legitimacy of freedom are repositioned, while the question of equal rights is reexamined.

An epistemological field of feminism, despite its internal dissensions, therefore appears indispensable. This field, which is necessarily multidisciplinary and cross-disciplinary, must elucidate the historical and social workings of sexuation, assess its impact on power relations, and analyse its implications for democracy. Consent, and sexual consent in particular, encompasses broader dimensions that raise profound questions about the choices we make as a society: should we prioritise equality or freedom?

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