Feminist activism within bureaucracy: Process of formulating and implementing regulations governing the protection of women's rights in Taipei

Abstract

This study documents and analyses the process of the formulation of the “Regulations Governing the Protection of Women's Rights” in Taipei, Taiwan, China a feminist experiment the author engineered as an activist in the City Government. Scholars and experts from the feminist community involved in working with women bureaucrats adopted both the “outsider tactic” of consciousness-raising and the “insider tactic” of lobbying for support. The creation of the Regulations outside the women's policy agency and without legal mandate or outside pressure demonstrates the vitality and versatility of feminist activism. The author identifies an active and visible feminist community and special bond of sisterhood as the crucial elements that led to the success of the project.