Gender strategy and women’s activism in the North Caucasus

The paper presents the results of the sociological study conducted in the republics of the North Caucasus. The sociological research focuses on the issue of the gender strategy of civil society structures (women’s organizations and women’s activism) and its reflection in view of the local population and women activists. The research aims to determine the gender strategy of the region through the analysis of women’s activity, to identify its directions and the most common issues and questions that women’s activists and organizations solve. Women’s organizations in the region are heterogeneous, have different agendas and focus on solving different kinds of issues. Among the organizations one can distinguish formal organizations created “from upstairs”, unified by common priorities; organizations that solve a number of tasks related to their local communities or group interests; independent women’s initiatives that respond to the needs of society and its challenges. The main results of the study show that the gender strategy in the region is formed primarily by religious structures, and is built on patriarchal attitudes. The largest women’s organizations do not influence the gender strategy, and, moreover, their activities are almost invisible at the moment. At the same time, individual initiatives are emerging, which are currently not strong enough and not consolidated, but at the same time, raise important issues for women and defend their interests

gender, civil society, gender strategy, women’s activism, women’s organizations, North Caucasus, religion, gender studies

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