Springer Girls’ Positionalities at the Intersection of Identity and Violence (Gender, Justice and Legal Feminism, 6)

The edited volume explores the unique positionality of girls as they experience gender-based violence. While girl children are often placed under the umbrella of womanhood, their location at the intersection of femalehood and childhood places them in a unique position with regards to various forms of exploitation and violence. Feminist theories, including feminist legal theory, provide pertinent avenues to explore girls’ positionalities, yet girl children should also be contextualized in relation to their current lived experiences. This book firstly explores the cultural and visual portrayal of girlhood and its relationship with gender-based violence, and secondly provides case studies of specific violations of human rights encompassing sexual violence and exploitation. It considers legal, social and economic avenues to support girls in reclaiming their identity, dignity and bodily integrity. Girls Positionalities at the Intersection of Identity and Violence fills an important gap in the literature by offering a comprehensive exploration of the unique situation of girls and gender-based violence in the 21st century. Chapdelaine-Feliciati brings together a remarkable set of scholars and practitioners in various disciplines, from childhood studies, law, history, political science and sociology, to communication and culture, digital arts, game studies and literature. Girls Positionalities covers timely issues, namely online violence, cosmetic surgery and deepfakes, popular platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Onlyfans and Pornhub, while addressing girls in specific situations, such as armed conflict, refugee girls, and violence in the educational setting. While many studies tend to focus on girls as victims, this volume emphasizes ways in which girls can be empowered and engage in the promotion of their rights through awareness-raising, policy reform and a cultural shift in the portrayals of girlhood globally. - Deanne Williams, Professor of English Literature and Girls' Studies, York University, Toronto, Canada, and Co-founder, Girls' Studies Research Network Girls Positionalities constitutes a significant contribution to the field of girls' studies, feminist theory, child studies, human rights and international law. As a multidisciplinary volume featuring junior as well as senior scholars, it provides novel perspectives on contemporary issues pertaining to girls in both the Global South and the Global North, from gender apartheid, guerilla girls, sexual harassment in education, coercive control in relationships, child marriage, and FGM, to online violence against girls, sexual and reproductive health, girls in video games, and girls' political activism on platforms such as TikTok. Chapdelaine-Feliciati’s volume is a "must read" for scholars and practitioners in human rights, feminist studies, childhood studies and girlhood studies. - Annick Farina, Professor of Linguistics, Université Paris Sorbonne Nord, France