Orit Kamir has been a feminist activist (in Israel) since the 1980s.  In addition to drafting feminist bills, teaching feminist classes and sounding a clear feminist voice in Israel’s public discourse Kamir has developed a feminist perspective she calls human dignity feminism.

Dominance Feminism (such as Catharine MacKinnon’s) exposes and analyzes the underlying socio-cultural structures that indoctrinate us into dominant masculinity and subservient femininity through language, religion, law, customs, norms and imagery. Kamir points to patriarchal honor as a primary, vital component of many such underlying structures. Her research teases out the specific mechanisms and performances of patriarchal honor in socio-cultural, as well as legal phenomena.

In much of her feminist work, Kamir develops and applies a theoretical model that allows for systematic, multi-disciplinary study of gender issues. The model allows careful consideration of social, cultural and normative aspects of any given gender issue. It encourages close examination of underlying dynamics of honor and human dignity. It urges proposal of innovative propositions.

Some of Kamir’s feminist publications include specific proposals, such as drafts for feminist legislation. A 1997 article on sexual harassment included a draft bill that was adopted by the Israeli parliament and legislated as Israel’s 1998 law for the prevention of sexual harassment. A 2003 article on rape proposes a new conceptualization of sexual offenses and includes a draft bill that has been endorsed and put forth by three parliament members.  Kamir’s introduction to feminism (2001) is a long standing basic text book in the field.