How can legal strategies change women’s life circumstances? A new research project at Karlstad University explores how strategic litigation is used to strengthen women’s rights and influence social change.
– Strategic litigation, that is, pursuing court cases to create change beyond the individual matter, is increasingly being used to safeguard women’s rights, such as the right to abortion, and protection against gender-based violence. This is also a way to hold governments accountable for upholding these rights, says Annika Rudman, professor of gender studies.
The purpose of the project is to investigate why women’s rights organisations in countries with limited resources invest in strategic litigation rather than other, more traditional forms of activism, even though it requires substantial resources and legal expertise.
– By studying the experiences and challenges of women’s rights organisations in local courts, we can contribute knowledge that makes it easier to support this form of legal activism, says Annika Rudman.
The project is led by Annika Rudman and carried out together with Anna-Britt Coe, professor of sociology. The research is being conducted in close collaboration with women’s rights organisations in Peru and Zimbabwe through interviews and observations with a focus on cases related to domestic violence and women’s reproductive health, especially the right to abortion.
– What characterises these cases is that they concern the most personal aspects – one’s body, well-being and right to equality, says Annika Rudman.
– Strategic litigation in international courts is well researched, but knowledge of locally anchored legal strategies in low-resource countries is limited. Women’s rights organisations in countries like Peru and Zimbabwe have long used litigation as a tool for influence – experiences that can provide important lessons. Countries with strong legal systems have much to learn from the legal activism that is taking place in these parts of the world, says Annika Rudman.
The project will contribute knowledge that can be used by civil society, legal practitioners and decision-makers, as well as influence case law, political reforms and increase awareness of women’s rights.
The four-year project “Strategic litigation as an advocacy tool: Experiences of Litigating Women’s Rights in Peru and Zimbabwe” has been granted close to SEK 6.6 million from the Swedish Research Council.
Are you interested in working with issues related to gender, power and justice, both locally and globally?
• Learn more about the bachelor’s programme in gender studies at Karlstad University
