institutional-ambivalence
The mixed feelings within women's organizations about working within inter-state agencies, reflecting tensions between feminist ideologies and the operations of international institutions.
1 chapter across 1 book
Social Movements and World-System Transformation (2013)Jackie Smith, Michael Goodhart, Patrick Manning, John Markoff
This chapter analyzes the impact of UN global conferences on transnational women's organizations, highlighting increased Southern representation and stronger ties to international NGOs formed during conference intervals. It discusses the strategic shift towards coalition-building and professionalization ('NGOization'), the ambivalence towards engagement with inter-governmental organizations, and the tensions within the women's movement between institutional reform and radical transformation. The chapter also addresses the contradictions and inequalities exacerbated by the UN conference processes, particularly between Northern and Southern activists.