Decolonising Knowledge Production: A Theoretical Framework for Feminist Research Methodologies in Algeria

This theoretical article confronts the hegemony of Eurocentric epistemologies in feminist research on Algeria, arguing that such approaches perpetuate epistemic violence by marginalising indigenous knowledge. It aims to develop a decolonial feminist methodological framework, grounded specifically in the Algerian context, to rectify this. The study is situated within critical dialogues in Maghrebi feminist thought and African decolonial scholarship, systematically engaging these literatures to identify a gap in context-specific methodological principles for Algeria. The core argument is that a genuine decolonisation of methodology requires an epistemological shift that deconstructs coloniality in research design, ethics, and interpretation. This shift entails moving beyond superficial inclusion to privileging oral histories, embodied knowledge, and community-based participatory action as valid scholarly praxis. Methodologically, the article employs a critical synthesis, applying rigorous criteria for the selection and analysis of theoretical sources to construct a coherent framework. The significance of this work lies in its structured contribution to intellectual decolonisation within African Studies, offering scholars a critical lens for conducting ethically engaged and epistemologically sovereign feminist research that aligns with Algeria’s social complexities and advances authentically situated knowledge.