in brief: feminists hold key to influencing government policy

A study in the latest issue of American Political Science Review has found that feminist movements have more influence on a nation’s responses to violence against women than any other factor. Feminist groups accounted for more change in public policy initiatives and attitudes than a country’s wealth, the number of women politicians or the influences of political parties.

The study highlights the prevalence of violence against women across the West and developing worlds, and places autonomous feminist groups as the most important factor in government responses to this.

The report features the largest set of data about violence against women ever collected, with every region in the world represented in the study. The authors took five years to analyse the situations in each these regions, looking at the manner in which issues of violence had been addressed in each case.

A conclusion was drawn that groups of feminists that were separate from governments or male interests did the most to draw attention to matters like violence, and bring these to government attention.

The reason for this is said to be the way in which feminist groups command the public’s attention and support, drawing in media and other interests to broadcast problems and demand change.

Authors have made the link between the desires of women’s social groups and the progression of policy change.

‘Social movements shape public and government agendas and create the political will to address issues. Government action, in turn, sends a signal about national priorities,’ co-author Mala Htun writes.

The report comes as a commitment was made to the National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and Children in Australian parliaments this week. The plan document, which aims to lower levels of violence by ‘building respectful relationships in the next generation,’ also seems to be looking to the mobilisation of social groups to ensure safety of women and children within the community.