Dismantling gender neutrality in international relations:

"others feminized" in the management of irregular migrant populations

Abstract

Although International Relations (IR) arrived late to feminism, their meeting evidenced how the Western gender system, based on the male-Western State/female-non-Western State dichotomy, has allowed the "feminization of the other" in the international social sphere. By granting qualities considered feminine to everything that is not a reflection of the idea of ​​the Western nation-state, it has been possible to justify processes of subordination, oppression and management of certain realities, including international migration, especially irregular migration. Currently, the "feminization of the other" is no longer considered only in terms of relations between States, as in classical theoretical discussions, other non-traditional international actors are also present (International Organizations and Non-Governmental Organizations). This paper aims to discuss, from feminist criticism and the gender approach to International Relations, How States and dominant actors in international relations, appealing to the supposed gender neutrality of the discipline, occupy the western gender dichotomy to justify the management of irregular migration. Among the conclusions, it stands out that the justification of the existence of the "feminized other" legitimates a right to humanitarian intervention.