Non-Governmental Organising for Gender Equality in China – Joining a Global Emancipatory Epistemic Community

Abstract

This paper uses domestic violence activism as a case study through which to examine how non-governmental feminist activists organising in China have generated new knowledge through their engagement with international gender equality activism and global human rights norms. We examine how an epistemic community focused on domestic violence has developed in China. This community subscribes to international definitions of violence against women as a human rights issue. We show how activists' adoption of human rights norms takes place in several stages and within situated learning processes. We argue that by engaging in such processes activists have joined a global emancipatory epistemic community – one which they are currently extending to Chinese society.