Preventing the gendered reproduction of citizenship: the role of social movements in South Africa

Overview

Social movements have an important role to play in shaping our understanding of the entitlements and human rights related to citizenship. Feminist movements, in particular, actively challenge and reshape gendered perceptions of citizenship generated by the state. The present article focuses on the “One in Nine Campaign”, which advocates for, among many things, legal changes in relation to gender-based violence in South Africa. Research into the Campaign reveals the utility in legal mobilisation as a strategy for feminist organising, and opens great potential for changing the way states see the law in relation to gender and women’s rights. This, however, also raises fundamental questions about different understandings of citizenship and citizenship rights.
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