Lived Experiences of Grassroots Women Leaders Globally: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis

Date

2023-10

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Abstract

Grassroots women leaders in the Global South are engaging in local and global efforts to improve communities through bottom-up transformative development. However, a deeper understanding of grassroots women leaders' experiences and how they influence social change is needed. The problem is grassroots women leaders in the Global South face patriarchy, discrimination, and exclusion which prevent them from being active partners and changemakers in local and global development circles. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to learn about the supports and challenges grassroots women leaders in the Global South experience as they work toward improving the quality of life of individuals and families in communities. Theoretical frameworks were collective leadership and transnational feminist theory. Research questions focused on women’s experiences while engaging in grassroots leadership and their supports and challenges. Using an interpretative phenomenological analysis approach and purposive sampling, this study explored lived experiences of 17 grassroots women leaders from Africa, Asia, and Latin America through in-depth interviews using a semi-structured protocol. Themes emerging from the thematic analysis included economic independence, voices in decision-making, building knowledge, becoming an ally, being nurtured by mentors, devaluation of women, insufficient resources, and psychological distress. Grassroots women’s leadership is more effective when adequate resources and inclusive decision-making opportunities are provided for locally-led, community-driven development. Policymakers and stakeholders should prioritize and strengthen grassroots women’s leadership through access to resources and spaces for continuous leadership development, learning exchanges, and practice transfer.

Description

Keywords

Citation

DOI