As part of constructing its new democracy, South Africa created the Commission on Gender Equality, a horizontal independent body charged with monitoring and stimulating efforts to create gender equality. With unusual powers and resources, staffed by energetic and committed feminists, the Commission is an unusual experiment in strategic feminist intervention. Based on a five-month participant observation study, this article describes the Commission's efforts to define `women's interests' and to set priorities. While international feminist ideas and support were important in the construction of the Commission, the article argues that local concerns about avoiding controversy and building broad support have been more important in explaining the Commission's trajectory.
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