(a) feminist web manifesto

Written by

Micaela Rava

in

Introduction

This document serves as a living guide to my practice as a web developer/designer/technologist, blending principles from feminist theory, critical perspectives, and everyday work experience. What started as a personal accountability project has evolved into a collection of references and principles on web design that I hope others might also find useful.

I acknowledge that much of this work remains deeply euro- and anglo-centric in its references—a reflection of the hierarchies within technology and the hegemonies of knowledge production. This limitation is also shaped by the fact that this document is written in english, a language that is not my mother tongue but one I use to communicate on the internet on a daily basis.

Given the complexity and problematic nature of the topics discussed, I recognize that certain terms and frameworks—such as “inclusive” or “sustainable”—may not always be the most accurate or appropriate. I welcome critique, reflection, and ongoing evolution as part of this document’s development.

Historical Context & Influences

This manifesto builds upon decades of feminist design theory and practice, drawing from multiple traditions and movements:

Key Historical Movements

  • First Wave Feminist Design (1970s-1980s): Characterized by the work of Sheila de Bretteville1 at the Woman’s Building in Los Angeles, establishing core principles of feminist design pedagogy
  • Cyberfeminism (1990s): Emerged with Donna Haraway’s “A Cyborg Manifesto”2 and VNS Matrix’s work, challenging traditional gender roles in digital spaces
  • Intersectional Digital Feminism (2000s-present): Influenced by Kimberlé Crenshaw’s theory of intersectionality3, addressing multiple axes of oppression in digital spaces4

Core Principles

Feminist design challenges power structures while promoting inclusivity and creating empowering spaces. These principles are informed by contemporary feminist scholars and practitioners.

1. Accessibility Is a Feminist Issue

Influenced by Disability Justice movements and scholars like Liz Jackson5

We believe:

  • Access to information and digital spaces is a fundamental right
  • Technology should adapt to human needs, not the other way around
  • Design must consider diverse abilities, resources, and contexts
  • Low-bandwidth and offline access options are essential
  • Multiple modes of interaction (text, audio, visual) should be standard

2. Privacy and Safety by Design

Drawing from feminist data studies by Catherine D’Ignazio and Lauren Klein6

We commit to:

  • Protecting users from surveillance and data exploitation
  • Implementing strong privacy controls as the default
  • Creating safe spaces free from harassment and abuse
  • Giving users control over their personal information
  • Transparent data collection and usage policies

3. Inclusive and Representative Design

Informed by Design Justice Network principles7 and Sasha Costanza-Chock’s work

We strive for:

  • Design that reflects diverse human experiences
  • Content that represents multiple perspectives and voices
  • Language that is inclusive and non-discriminatory
  • Images and icons that challenge stereotypes
  • User testing with diverse groups

4. Democratizing Creation and Knowledge

Building on FemTechNet’s principles 8and feminist pedagogy

We advocate for:

  • Open-source tools and technologies
  • Shared knowledge and resources
  • Collaborative creation spaces
  • Documentation in multiple languages
  • Low barriers to entry for content creation

5. Ecological Justice and Digital Sustainability

Influenced by ecofeminist principles permacomputing, and low-tech movements9

We recognize the deep connections between environmental exploitation and social oppression, drawing from ecofeminist thought to reshape our relationship with technology. We pursue:

Ecofeminist Digital Principles:

  • Recognition of technology’s impact on both human and non-human life
  • Rejection of extractive technological practices
  • Understanding of digital commons as part of ecological commons
  • Cyclical rather than linear approaches to technology
  • Integration of indigenous and traditional ecological knowledge

Low-Tech Web Practices:

  • Minimal computing approaches prioritizing longevity
  • Text-first content that minimizes resource usage
  • Static site generation over dynamic processing
  • Reduced dependency on heavy frameworks
  • Support for older devices and slower connections

Permacomputing Guidelines:

  • Design for repair and maintenance
  • Use of durable file formats and protocols
  • Implementation of energy-aware algorithms
  • Focus on local-first computing
  • Embrace of appropriate technology principles

Practical Implementation:

  • Dark mode and reduced color palettes
  • Compressed images and minimal media
  • Static HTML over JavaScript-heavy applications
  • Offline-first architecture
  • Hardware longevity considerations

6. Intersectional and Global Perspectives

Drawing from bell hooks10 and transnational feminist theory

We recognize:

  • The interconnected nature of oppression
  • Cultural differences in design needs
  • Economic disparities in access
  • The importance of local context
  • The need for diverse decision-makers

7. Care-Centered Design

Influenced by feminist ethics of care

We prioritize:

  • Human wellbeing over engagement metrics
  • Mental health considerations in UX
  • Community building and support
  • Rest and boundaries
  • Genuine connection over artificial engagement

Implementation Guidelines

Design Practices

Informed by Matrix Feminist Design Co-operative methodologies11

  • Use inclusive color palettes and contrast ratios
  • Implement responsive design for all devices
  • Provide clear navigation and wayfinding
  • Create spaces for community feedback
  • Regular accessibility audits
  1. de Bretteville, S. (1974). “A Reexamination of Some Aspects of Feminist Design” ↩︎
  2. Haraway, D. (1985). “A Cyborg Manifesto” ↩︎
  3. Crenshaw, K. (1989). “Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex” ↩︎
  4. Bordalejo B, Risam R, eds. (2019) “Intersectionality in Digital Humanities” . ↩︎
  5. Jackson, L. (2018). “We Are the Original Lifehackers” ↩︎
  6. D’Ignazio, C. & Klein, L. (2020). “Data Feminism” ↩︎
  7. Design Justice Network (2018). “Design Justice Network Principles” ↩︎
  8. https://www.femtechnet.org/ ↩︎
  9. Key works in ecofeminism and sustainable computing:
    – Merchant, C. (1980). “The Death of Nature: Women, Ecology, and the Scientific Revolution”Merchant, C. (1980).
    – Shiva, V. (1988). “Staying Alive: Women, Ecology and Development”
    – Hui, Y. (2016). “On the Existence of Digital Objects”
    – https://permacomputing.net/Principles/
    – https://solar.lowtechmagazine.com/about/the-solar-website/ ↩︎
  10. hooks, b. (1994). “Teaching to Transgress” ↩︎
  11. Matrix Feminist Design Co-operative (1984). “Making Space: Women and the Man-Made Environment” ↩︎

Additional Resources

Contemporary Feminist Design Collectives and Projects

Online Archives and Resources

Sustainable Web Design Communities

Academic Programs and Research Centers

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