From Global to Grassroots : The European Union, Transnational Advocacy, and Combating Violence Against Women

This examination of the European Union and efforts to combat violence against women provides an empirical feminist analysis of the transnational strategies and processes that connect global and grassroots advocacy efforts. It looks beyond policy rhetoric to examine the extent to which this important human rights issue is being addressed.

From Global to Grassroots looks at how transnational activism aimed at combating violence against women is used to instigate changes in local practice. Focusing on the case of the European Union, this book provides empirical and intersectional feminist analysis to demonstrate the transnational processes that connect global and grassroots advocacy efforts. It does this by taking an in-depth look at the roles played by regional organizations and networks in efforts to address violence against women. Over the past decades, the complex and evolving system of EU multilevel governance has provided new venues for women''s transnational activism. Despite a predominantly economic focus, the EU has undertaken various initiatives that utilize different tools of authority to combat violence against women. This book first traces the processes by which violence against women became a European Union issue, examining the role played by global movements and organizations as well as European advocates within and outside of EU institutions. Second, it explores and analyzes the different strategies that the EU has utilized to influence its member and candidate states to change their practices. Third, it evaluates the impact that these strategies have had at the local level by investigating the interaction of international and regional efforts with domestic characteristics. The geographic and institutional variation found in the EU makes it a particularly rich case study for comparing the way that different strategies, power relationships, and domestic circumstances interact to provide a range of responses in member and candidate states. While other studies have emphasized formal policy change as evidence that domestic change has occurred, From Global to Grassroots looks beyond the rhetoric to examine the extent to which violence against women is addressed on the ground, paying special attention to the disparate impact strategies may have on particular groups of women.