Political Science 3207F/G Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: 3 Women

• School: Western University
• Department: Political Science
• Course: Political Science 3207F/G
• Professor: Nandita Mellamphy

Document Summary

While women have fought for and attained access to positions in elected governments, social movements,, and revolutionary struggles, women are still marginalized in most governments and movements. Delegated to deal w "women"s issues" instead of things like foreign policy and finances. Even in radical movements, women"s rights are often ignored and women are expected to fulfill traditional roles. Multiple barriers deter women form attaining leadership positions and many women still attain power through their relation to men. Gendered nature of women"s activism; women"s varied socially constructed roles and relationships are a constant subtext in their motivations to act. Women pulled into activism when their socially defined roles are threatened and they have drawn on their status as mothers/caregivers to fight for issues. Women are able to exploit societal expectations about their affinity for women"s issues to push for specific political outcomes, such as policy/regime change. Women identify with their gender differently due to their different backgrounds (race, culture)