Protest, Policy, and the Problem of Violence against Women: A Cross-National Comparison - Softcover

Weldon, S. Laurel

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0822957744 ISBN 13: 9780822957744

Publisher: University of Pittsburgh Press, 2002

Synopsis

Violence against women is one of the most insidious social ills facing the world today. Yet governmental response is inconsistent, ranging from dismissal to aggressive implementation of policies and programs to combat the problem. In her comparative study of thirty-six democratic governments, Laurel Weldon examines the root causes and consequences of the differences in public policy from Northern Europe to Latin America. She reveals that factors that often influence the development of social policies do not determine policies on violence against women. Neither economic level, religion, region, nor the number of women in government determine governmental responsiveness to this problem. Weldon demonstrates, for example, that Nordic governments take no more action to combat violence against women than Latin American governments, even though the Swedish welfare state is often considered a leader in social policy, particularly with regard to women\u2019s issues. Instead, the presence of independently organized, active women\u2019s movements plays a greater role in placing violence against women on the public agenda. The breadth and scope of governmental response is greatly enhanced by the presence of an office dedicated to promoting women\u2019s status. Weldon closes with practical lessons and insights to improve government action on violence against women and other important issues of social justice and democracy.

About this title

About the Author

S. Laurel Weldon is an assistant professor of political science at Purdue University.

Edition details

• Publisher: University of Pittsburgh Press
• Publication date: 2002
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0822957744
• ISBN 13: 9780822957744
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 304