Women’s Rights as Human Rights: Grassroots Women Redefine Citizenship in a Global Context

Abstract

For most of the twentieth century, grassroots women’s groups all over the world have been proclaiming their collective rights just as feminists have been claiming their civil and political rights as citizens. Though widely used, the term ‘grassroots’ does not have a commonly recognized meaning. Grassroots implies being widespread and common, though deeply rooted. The term also suggests being locally based and outside the control of any state, church, union or political party. To the women claiming its provenance, being from the grassroots means being free from any constraining political affiliations and being responsible to no authority except their own group. Though such women generally appear powerless against corporate and governmental opponents, they wield moral authority against their adversaries. At the same time, certain women demonstrate their right to be considered responsible citizens, not only according to official laws, but on their own terms in relationship to their participation in community activities.