Author: Jill M Bystydzienski
Joti Sekhon/
Editor: Jill M Bystydzienski
Publisher: Kali/Zubaan
Year: 2002
Language: English
Pages: 397
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8186706542
Description
This book explores how these movements contribute to the expansion of public and private spaces and democratic processes. The sixteen case studies highlight women’s grassroots movements in world.
The fall of communist regimes in Eastern Europe and of dictatorships in Latin America brought new attention to democratic movements worldwide. Most interest focused on national activities, electoral politics and the expansion of capitalist markets, and though much has been written about social movements, the connections between women’s grassroots organizations and democratization has been neglected.
This book explores how these movements contribute to the expansion of public and private spaces and democratic processes. The sixteen case studies highlight women’s grassroots movements in India, Hong Kong, Singapore, Eritrea, South Africa, Syria, Egypt, El Salvador, Honduras, Poland, Russia, Belgium, Ireland, Canada, the United States (Appalachia), and Australia. They reveal the connections between local political and social action and the growth of democratic processes at state, regional and global levels. The book illustrates how community-based actions, programmes and organizations that empower women contribute to the creation of a civil society and thus enhance democracy.
Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
PART ONE: Asia
Grassroots Social Action and Empowerment in India : The Case of Action India Women’s Program
Re-Inheriting Women in Decolonizing Hong Kong
Democracy at the Margins: NGOs and Women’s "Unofficial" Political Participation in Singapore
PART TWO: Africa and the Middle East
Exchanging Participation for Promises: Mobilization of Women in Eritrea
Democratization through Adult Popular Education: A Reflection on the Resilience of Women from Kwa-Ndebele, South Africa
Self-Identity as a Form of Democratization: The Syrian Experience
Women’s Grassroots Movements and Democratization in Egypt
PART THREE: Central America
Women and Grassroots Democracy in El Salvador: The Case of Comunidad Segundo Montes
Feminist Organizations and Grassroots Democracy in Honduras
PART FOUR: Eastern Europe
New Roads to Resistance: Polish Feminists in the Transition to Democracy
From the Ground Up: Women’s Organization and Democratization in Russia
PART FIVE: Western Europe, North America, and Australia
Building Democratic Bridge over Belgian Political Bastions: The Work of the VOK---Women’s Consultation Committee
Women’s Participation in Grassroots Initiatives in Ireland
Sexual Assault and the Canadian State: Participatory Democracy Struggle within a Liberal Democracy
Empowerment and Disempowerment of Women in Central Appalachia, U.S.A.
Women in Agriculture: Action for More Democratic Australian Farm Politics
Conclusion
About the Editors and Contributors