ABSTRACT

This title was first published in 2001. Detailed interviews with activists and case studies of decision-making bodies show how different membership groups exploit equal opportunities strategies to facilitate or impede women. These case studies expose the conundrum of understanding women as a differentiated but distinct membership group. They illustrate why women activists need to be understood in their diverse and multiple roles of being low paid workers, black women, lesbians and members of political parties, but also demonstrate that women are most empowered when treated as an oppressed social group.

chapter 1|8 pages

Introduction

chapter 2|24 pages

Making Sense of Democracy

chapter 3|16 pages

UNISON in the Making

chapter 4|22 pages

Women Gaining Access

chapter 5|7 pages

Taking Part in the Electoral Process

chapter 6|17 pages

Fair Representation and Diversity

chapter 7|28 pages

The Role of Women’s Self-Organisation

chapter 8|22 pages

Making a Difference in Local Government?

chapter 9|22 pages

Making a Difference at Regional Level?

chapter 10|15 pages

The Reshaping of Democracy?