Grassroots and Government: Assessing the Effectiveness of NGOs in Advancing Women's Rights in the Global South Labor Force

Presenter: Olivia Lynn Capezza

Faculty Sponsor: Paul Kowert

School: UMass Boston

Research Area: Globalization and Development

Session: Poster Session 4, 2:15 PM - 3:00 PM, 163, C23

ABSTRACT

The Western neoliberal framework of international politics defines inalienable rights in a historically masculine and Eurocentric way. While the global women’s rights movement has successfully pressured governments to enact legislative protections, much of the research on gender-focused international policy implementation overlooks women in the Global South and informal economies. The United Nations (UN) has positioned gender equality as a global norm, but its effectiveness remains contested. Scholars increasingly critique the UN’s role, pointing to its failures in enforcing gender equality within its own ranks, with sexual violence by UN peacekeepers being a major scandal.

Recent literature suggests that NGOs play a more effective role in lobbying for gender-inclusive policies, particularly for women in the Global South. Although NGOs face significant challenges, their failures often stem from the same Western-centric, patriarchal, and capitalist structures that limit the UN’s effectiveness. Despite these obstacles, NGOs are often more adaptable and directly engaged with marginalized communities.

This paper assesses the UN’s effectiveness in supporting women in the labor force using data from the World Bank Group Women and Trade Report 2020. It also examines the role of the Women’s International Democratic Federation in Vietnam and the International Labor Organization’s efforts in the Global South. These case studies demonstrate NGOs’ effectiveness in advancing women’s rights in trade and labor policy. Ultimately, this paper argues for a shift toward NGOs as primary leaders in the global fight for gender equality, emphasizing their potential to drive meaningful and inclusive change.

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