State-Based Advocacy for Gender Equality in the Developing World

Abstract National agencies for women have engaged the state as advocates of women's rights, taking on issues from reproductive rights to pay equity. Current analysis focuses on both the origins and effectiveness of such agencies. However, such analysis is predominantly based on studies from the developed world. Thus, examination of individual cases from the developing world can expand our understanding of the potential of state equalityadvocacy by extending comparative empirical and theoretical perspectives on gender and the state. This paper presents the case of the Venezuelan agency for women. One of the oldest agencies in the region, it has changed considerably over the course of its history. It has proved to be a major catalyst for gender equality advocacy but also demonstrates the potential risks of institutionalizing such advocacy.