Transnational feminism and global governance

This chapter examines the role of transnational feminist networks (TFNs) in global governance. Emanating from civil society and women’s movements, TFNs interact with governments and institutions of global governance through research, lobbying, advocacy, and action to influence policymaking and promote women’s participation and rights. Over the decades, their effects have been felt in a variety of issue areas – economic policy; war, peace, and security; violence against women; and care work – and in the design of tools such as gender statistics and gender mainstreaming. Opportunities have enabled growth and influence; TFNs have benefited from the UN-led global women’s rights agenda while also contributing to its expansion and depth in significant ways. World-systemic constraints, however, have limited transnational feminist capacity, and new challenges have emerged, such as the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing conflicts. The chapter provides an overview of the origins, evolution, and impact of TFNs, and their responses to COVID-19, to exemplify feminist governance.