This study explores how narratives and attitudes toward feminism are constructed in the local media of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), an understudied region of the Russian Federation.

Previous research has shown that feminism often provokes fear and distrust in immigrant communities and ethnic minorities, who view it as a potential threat to ethnic unity, resulting in the alienation of feminist women (Ng, 1982; LaChapelle, 1982; Medjuck, 1990). Medjuck (1990) argues that integrating diverse experiences into an analytical framework can help uncover the scale, complexity, and interdependence of systems of oppression.

Building on this premise, this study seeks to contribute to scholarly discussions on feminism within an ethnocultural background different from the extensively examined ethnic Russian majority. Yakutia offers a unique opportunity to explore how discourse develops within a community shaped by native traditions, Russian influences, and globalization. Furthermore, Yakutia's titular ethnic group forms the majority within the region, yet it remains a minority within the broader context of the Russian Federation.

Taking a critical discourse studies (CDS) approach as a paradigm (van Dijk, 2014, 2015), this research utilizes discourse analysis to scrutinize materials ranging from talk shows to social media content, focusing on their cultural and political contexts. Key findings reveal dominant narratives, including distancing from feminism, the absence of an organized feminist movement in the region, and the emergence of decolonial feminism. The latter was revealed to criticize Russian oppositional discourse, signaling a demand for greater diversity and inclusion of marginalized ethnic voices in national politics. The study also highlights how conservative narratives opposing women's agency simultaneously frame Muslims as both a threat and a desirable moral standard.

Despite the lack of structured feminist activism, globalization has introduced feminist concepts to Yakutia, evident among the younger generation's supporters and skeptics of feminism. However, recent legal developments in the Russian Federation threaten to ban feminist “propaganda,” following similar restrictions on LGBT and child-free “propaganda.” This could potentially halt further constructive discussions on feminism as a social movement at both the regional and national levels.

By analyzing feminist discourse in Yakutia, this study offers insight into how feminist ideas are represented and perceived in non-Russian and non-Western contexts. It further outlines the challenges and opportunities for advancing gender equality in multinational states.