Women in Black: Mobilization into Anti-nationalist, Anti-militarist, Feminist Activism in Serbia

BAIOCCHI, MARÍA LIS

CEU Political Science Journal

Department of Political Science, Central European University

Año: 2009 vol. 4 p. 469 - 500

1818-7668

This article presents a study of mobilization into a specific type of political contention?anti-nationalist, anti-militarist, feminist activism in Serbia. It is based on qualitative data gathered from semi-structured interviews with individuals active in the antinationalist, anti-militarist, feminist organization Women in Black conducted in Serbia between April and May 2008. By analyzing the data gathered through the prism of social movement theory, the article identifies specific patterns of mobilization that are facilitated through various structures and mechanisms. These include the various functions of social networks, collective action frames, and collective identity and solidarity incentives?that guarantee sustained participation in Women in Black and the continued existence of anti-nationalist, anti-militarist, feminist political contention even in circumstances of strong social and political repression.