Grey literature is a feminist issue: women’s knowledge and the Net

Abstract

Throughout its history feminism has produced “grey” literature. This material has played an important part in communicating women’s knowledge(s) and instigating activism. This paper considers the development of grey literature within feminism and its value to feminism, in brief. The key focus of the paper is in the potentials of the Internet as a communication mechanism and for feminist grey literature. Consideration is given to rapidly expanding forms of feminist grey literature on the Internet, and the potentials and concerns raised by this grey medium are discussed. Despite fears raised by some writers about the dangers and difficulties of cyberspace for women, overall this paper is optimistic about the potentials for feminist grey literature. Hence, it is suggested that grey literature on the Net offers global feminist sustenance; potential empowerment; and a means to challenge social inequalities.