Gender, regionalism and interregionalism: Moving beyond formal MERCOSUR and UE- MERCOSUR dynamics through transnational women’s activism

Since the 1990s, both regionalism and interregionalism, taken as relations between regions, have experienced an exponential surge. Whereas interregionalism is still a fragmented field of study (Van der Vleuten and Van Eerdewijk 2020), scholarship has more strongly focused on state-led and formal relations, thus neglecting the role of non-state actors. Similarly, they have not fully considered the mutual dynamics between regionalism and interregionalism (Litsegard and Mattheis 2023, Doidge 2007). This paper’s theoretical objective is twofold: first, to move beyond the formal and state-led forms of interregionalism by delving into the role of transnational women’s networks in interregional processes, while simultaneously considering developments at the regional level. More specifically, and based on Macdonald (2022), the paper will address the following research question: how are gender concerns incorporated into interregionalism? Additionally, it will explore what new forms of feminist-inspired transnational activism have flourished at the regional and interregional levels, and their role in shaping interregional outcomes; thus, establishing a much-needed connection with the transnationalism literature. Empirically, the analysis will delve into how and to what extent interregional relations between the MERCOSUR and the European Union (EU) have opened a space for the incorporation of gender concerns, mainly through the cooperation agendas. This analysis will take the institutionalization of gender norms and policies within MERCOSUR as a backdrop. Finally, the paper will address the connections between regionalism and interregionalism by drawing on a mapping of the transnational feminist networks, and their dynamics and strategies. In all, the paper is intended to contribute an analysis based on the interplay between different levels of governance (the regional and the interregional) while unravelling the role of transnational actors in shaping gender norms and policies.