Women's Activism and Global Agendas : (Asian Themes and Questions)

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This paper asks how far and in what ways the experience of western feminism can offer any lessons to Asian women activists in this era of globalisation. It begins by reflecting on the diversity of women's activism in Asia and on the particular implication, for the forms and agenda of women's activism in Asia, of globalisation, including the move from government to governance. It also considers the complex relationship between western feminism and Asian women's activism. Despite the need for caution, the paper goes on to suggest the relevance for Asian women's acrivism of specific debates within western feminism. First is the debate about how far and in what ways feminists should engage with the state. In the context of globalisation this can be extended to the question of how far feminists should focus upon the (nation) state as opposed to other levels and arenas of governance. The paper argues for the continuing need to engage with the state, whilst also retaining a vigorous women's movement. Related to this, secondly, the paper considers the issue of diversity both amongst women and within the women's movement and argues that rather than wasting valuable energy in fighting internal movement battles, women activists need to be prepared to make contingent alliances on the basis of shared goals.
Paper to be presented to the Women's Worlds 2005: 9th International Interdisciplinary Congress on Women, 'Politics and Good Governance' stream, Seoul, June 21.

목차 (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• Women's activism in Asia
• Globalization-and the women's agenda
• Drawing lessons from western feminism
• 1. feminism and the state
• Diversity and unity
• Conclusion