In her new publication, former staff member and student at the International Institute of Social Studies, Ireen Dubel, analyses the so far unnoticed history of nearly five decades of Dutch transnational feminist solidarity with women’s rights in the Global South in particular.
This history begins in 1975, the International Women’s Year, which ignited contemporary Dutch transnational feminist solidarity engagement.
Basing her analysis of archival research, interviews with key actors and first-hand documentation of events and policy claims, she provides rich empirical grounding for the book’s case studies. These include a variety of solidarity initiatives, ranging from safeguarding reproductive rights and access to safe abortion, to supporting women under apartheid, recognizing women’s rights at the UN, promoting sexual rights and diversity and mobilizing political and financial support for women’s movements around the world.
Dubel discusses specific case studies of solidarity activism and policy advocacy, offering compelling evidence and an explanation for the sustainability and outcomes of Dutch transnational feminist solidarity activism. This history has the power to inspire contemporary and future transnational feminist solidarity engagement.
The book also contains a chapter on the early pioneering efforts by ISS Women and Development (W&D) staff, including Mia Berden, Maria Mies, Kumari Jayawardena, Geertje Lycklama, Rhoda Reddock, Saskia Wieringa and Amrita Chhacchiand the significance of the W&D programme in contributing to women’s leadership and scholarship in many different regions and fields.
About the author
Ireen Dubel is former ISS member of staff (1985-1987, coordinator of the SWAPO Women and Development Training Programme) and a former student (Women and Development alumna 1980-81). She is currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Amsterdam.
- More information
The book is available as a pdf download from the publisher's website.
- Related links
- The forgotten history of feminist engagement