Bridging Theory and Practice

: Using Reflexive Cycles in Feminist Participatory Action Research. Williams, J. & Lykes, M. B. (2003). Feminism & Psychology. 13(3). 287-294.

Pointing out theoretical resonance between PAR methodologies and feminist principles that focuses on empowerment processes and social action against traditional hierarchies of exclusion and PAR methodologies, the authors takes a stance of feminist PAR and discusses challenges and benefits in this article.

Their initial Photovoice project with Mayan women failed because few of the participants took photos. In the quest for solutions to the problem, they adopted role-plays. The authors note that through the re-enactment and reflexive conversations the participants hinted at their gender relations, traditions and community interactions, which were usually inaccessible to outsiders. The participants met once a month for a year and shared photos they took. The authors stress that, while the practices of photovoice allowed the women to give voices to the community members and to gain self-confidence and interpersonal skills, the "iterative praxis" of photovoice afforded the researchers insights into the risks and challenges confronting the women as well as gender/social oppressions within the community.

It is not so clear what the authors refer to as the limitations and strengths of feminist PAR. I assume that