ABSTRACT
The rise of women's movements in developing societies can be attributed to the changing views of the role of women in the development process that generates a new kind of awareness among women to translate their self-protection efforts into political action. 1 While women are poorly represented in political bodies and power structures, they have learned to use other avenues to turn their aspirations into political action (Arce et al. 1994: 167; Karl 1995: 19). This leads to the formation of new organisations dedicated entirely to women. The socialist and radical activists tend to form revolutionary women's clubs, women worker's associations and radical political organisations. Likewise, concerned women of the upper-class may also form various social reform organisations addressing welfare and equality for women. The rise of women's NGOs in developing societies can therefore be understood in this context.
