Women in the community: feminist principles and organising in community work

The centrality of women's contribution to community work was invisible until feminist community workers identified its importance, developed feminist forms of practice and challenged community work's traditional tenets. The principles which give their work a feminist focus are explored in this article. These include placing women and gender relations at the centre of collective action to promote women's creative engagement with issues and find solutions which change their life circumstances and establish egalitarian working relations between themselves. Whether working on a one-to-one basis, in groups, or through networks and campaigns, this means openness, respecting where women are at and working with them to redefine social issues on their terms, transforming the essence of professional relationships and identifying the problematic nature of patriarchy for men.