Collective, Relational and Supranational Dimensions in The Construction of a Legislative Agenda on Women’s Human Rights In Latin America

Abstract

This article seeks to understand how the collective and relational dimensions of gender legislative machinery influence the regional tendency to frame “women’s issues” within the language of human rights. Using the “thick conception” approach towards women’s substantive representation, this article examines how legislative actors interested in women’s human rights develop and get involved in national and regional networks that incorporate social and state actors as well as global entities (such as the United Nations System) in the exchange of ideas and articulation of legislative initiatives. Our findings show that, in terms of content, the legislative gender agenda is centered on certain topics while omitting others.