International nongovernmental organizations (INGOs) are associations of bodies in pursuit of specific international or regional goals. INGOs act as governing bodies that make rules and play an important role in global social movements. The women’s movement is a global movement that continues to be reframed as the needs of women change and as there is greater information about those needs. The period between 1976 and 1985 was recognized as the United Nation’s Decade for Women where the status of women was linked to their country’s development. This led to the establishment of women’s movements as well as the recognition of women’s issues as a state concern.
The INGOs represent independent, yet connected organizations that represent the public. It is important that there are regional differences because culture varies; however, individuals, groups, and organizations work towards common goals. What does this say about the world’s social issues? Around the globe, the issue of gender equality is becoming integrated into national development. Charlotte Bunch says in her essay “Global Feminism”, “We must be global, recognizing that the oppressions of women in one part of the world is often affected by what happens in another, and that no woman is free until the conditions of oppression of women are eliminated everywhere.” In this quote feminism is the responsibility of women everywhere. There is a connection that we have morally because of the impact the changes in the world produce on all nations. The social concerns of people internationally can be represented through global organizations.