Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Commons^™

Understanding ‘Passion Killings’ In Botswana: An Investigation Of Media Framing, Deinera Exner, Wilfreda E. Thurston

Journal of International Women's Studies

In Botswana, local news media outlets have documented the prevalence of so-called ‘passion killings’; however, no published studies have been conducted that examine these intimate partner homicides. Using ethnographic content analysis informed by a theory of framing, this study investigated the characteristics of these crimes, and societal attitudes, myths and stereotypes regarding intimate partner homicides and passion killings. Articles from four Batswana newspapers were analyzed. The information derived from this analysis is used to develop future directions for the study of intimate partner violence and homicides in Botswana.

The Water Crisis In Blantyre City And Its Impact On Women: The Cases Of Mabyani And Ntopwa, Malawi, Lucy Chipeta

Journal of International Women's Studies

Water crises tend to impact women and men of different ages differently. In most cultures, women of different ages are primarily responsible for the use and management of water resources, sanitation and health at the household level. They are the ones who fetch water, use water for domestic purposes and therefore are affected by the impact of water crises and poor sanitation. The women and girls especially in rural areas walk long distances to fetch water while men rarely participate in such activities. This therefore puts women at a more disadvantaged position when water is scarce or when there are …

Feminism And Multiculturalism: Two Common Foundations For A Vision And A Practice Of Transformative Social Activities And Education In Israel, Roni Reingold, Lea Baratz

Journal of International Women's Studies

The last few years have witnessed the development of a new direction in theoretical feminist thinking which focuses on the quality of the link between feminism and multiculturalism. The discussion of the subject includes several main approaches. The premise of one of these approaches is that the two ideologies share many aspects, especially in their analysis of both social oppression in our world and the transformational goals motivating the two ideologies.

In the current paper we follow a radical-socialist definition of multiculturalism which the main aim of that ideology is endeavoring to empower discriminated minorities (whether ethnic, cultural, and racial …

Multicultural Politics And The Paradox Of Being Special: Interrogating Immigrant Women’S Activism And The Voice Of Difference, Jane S. C. Ku

Journal of International Women's Studies

Interviews with racialized minority immigrant women activist-managers in immigrant service sector in Toronto, Canada demonstrate how women construct their activist identities. An anti-racist post-colonial feminist framework is used to explore their narrative strategies and to show that their activist possibilities are constrained by their identities. Activism is limited to advocating for their ethnic community in multicultural politics that is structured by post-colonial “speaking” configuration that allows “native informants” to represent their communities as culturally alien and to authorize state management of racial and ethnic differences. The interviews also show the complexities of immigrant women’s political agency as they navigate the …

Health Consequences Of Rural Women’S Productive Role In Agriculture In The Philippines And Other Developing Countries, Ma. Elena Chiong-Javier

Journal of International Women's Studies

Agriculture is central to developing countries like the Philippines and rural women contribute a substantial share of the labor that goes into this sector as food producers or agricultural workers. In the wake of numerous studies conducted worldwide about women since the United Nations’ Decade for Women (1976-1984), data appear sparse on the relationship between women’s work and women’s health in the agricultural setting to enable policy makers and program implementors to adequately address their health needs. Thus this study aimed to determine the nature of available information in the gender literature to enable us to understand the link between …

The Social Grants And Black Women In South Africa: A Case Study Of Bophelong Township In Gauteng, Maria Van Driel

Journal of International Women's Studies

In post Apartheid South Africa 12.4 million people receive a social grant. This paper discusses the significance of the grants, and black women’s role through the prism of the grants. The paper is based on a case study in Bophelong township near Johannesburg. The methodology draws on primary and secondary sources, a small socio-economic survey, indicative interviews with black women grant recipients, and the relevant literature. The principle of ‘triangulation’ is used to validate research findings. For a substantial number of families, especially single women with children, the grant is their sole income. Black women provide the necessary (unpaid) labour …

The Role Of Women In Providing And Improving Household Food Security In Sudan: Implications For Reducing Hunger And Malnutrition, Fatma Osman Ibnouf

Journal of International Women's Studies

Relevant and consistent with the recent growing interest to assess the contribution of women to economic activities in Sudan, this study seeks to assess women’s contribution to their household food supply and nutrition status in rural Sudan. As for the contribution of the research, the research is expected to contribute to improve the understanding of the important contribution of women to economic activities and in particular in providing and improving household food security in Sudan and thus valuing the potential role of women in reducing hunger and malnutrition.

Agricultural production (farm and livestock products) with supplemental resources (processed and preserved …

Female Combatants In The Spanish Civil War: Milicianas On The Front Lines And In The Rearguard, Lisa Lines

Journal of International Women's Studies

The history of the military participation of women during the Spanish Civil War has thus far been neglected, underestimated or downplayed by historians. This article aims to redress this imbalance. It examines the actions of the milicianas, and the military roles they played, from the beginning of the war until July 1937 when the majority of women had been removed from combat. Most of the secondary literature attempts to dismiss the military contribution of the milicianas by arguing that women did not participate in combat on equal terms with men. Instead, the literature focuses on the domestic and auxiliary tasks …

Gender Analysis Of Socio-Cultural Perception Of Moringa Oleifera Amongst Farmers In Southwestern Nigeria, Dixon O. Torimiro, Simsola M. Odeyinka, Victor O. Okorie, Moses A. Akinsuyi

Journal of International Women's Studies

Moringa oleifera (horseradish tree - English) is a perennial plant, which has been found to possess high economic and cultural values in many countries of the world. This study was carried out to analyse the socio-cultural perception about Moringa oleifera according to farmers’ gender in Southwestern Nigeria. It specifically established the correlates of perception of Moringa oleifera among the farmers; described the socio-demographics of the farmers; examined the gender gaps in the level of awareness and propagation of Moringa oleifera; compared their willingness to adopt innovation on Moringa oleifera and analysed the constraints associated with men’s and women’s propagation …

What Remains Of Srebrenica? Motherhood, Transitional Justice And Yearning For The Truth, Olivera Simic

Journal of International Women's Studies

This article explores the role of the local non-governmental association ‘Mothers of Srebrenica’ in the complex transitional justice processes in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The association gathers women who survived the Srebrenica genocide in July 1995 and creates an important public space for the crying out of their grievances and lobbing for their goals. The ‘Mothers of Srebrenica’ also create a space for widows and displaced women to share their concerns and support each other. While the ‘Mothers of Srebrenica’ use the rhetoric of victimhood and motherhood whenever they speak out, I argue that they, in fact, challenge the notion of …

The Failed Marriage Between Women And The Landless People’S Movement (Mst) In Brazil, Rute Caldeira

Journal of International Women's Studies

The present article examines the processes of inequality reproduced inside the MST-run rural encampments; specifically the ones affecting women the most, and in particular women heads of households. This examination leads to the related consideration of the relationship between the MST, its lideranças, and women settlers. Although women are the ones most affected by these processes of inequality, their disadvantaged position is ignored by the movement, in theory an organisation on the Left. This relationship between the MST and women or ‘women’s issues’ mirrors the old question of the ‘failed marriage’ between women, feminism and the Left in Latin …

Virginia Woolf’S Answer To “Women Can’T Paint, Women Can’T Write” In To The Lighthouse, Daniela Munca

Journal of International Women's Studies

This essay addresses Virginia Woolf’s personal stand in her answer to “women can’t paint, women can’t write”, a reflection on the Victorian prejudice of the role of women in the family and society shared by both her parents, Leslie and Julia Stephen. By bridging a close textual analysis with the most recent psychological critical analysis, I argue that apart from the political, social and artistic implications, Woolf’s attitude to the Victorian stereotypes related to gender roles carry a deeply personal message, being undeniably influenced and determined by the relationship with her parents and her need to lie to rest some …

Book Review: Women In Iraq: The Gender Impact Of International Sanctions, Amber Guthrie, Christina Arrington, Kesser Mohammad, Esther Rothblum

Journal of International Women's Studies

Review of Women In Iraq: The Gender Impact of International Sanctions by Yasmin Husein Al-Jawaheri

Book Review: War And Terror: Feminist Perspectives, Anjali Nath, Melissann Herron, Kirstin Oesterle, Esther Rothblum

Journal of International Women's Studies

Review of War and Terror: Feminist Perspectives, edited by Karen Alexander and Mary E. Hawkesworth

Book Review: Feminist Conversations: Women, Trauma, And Empowerment In Post-Transitional Societies, Denise Shupiko

Journal of International Women's Studies

Review of Feminist Conversations: Women, Trauma, and Empowerment in Post-Transitional Societies, edited by Dovile Budryte, Lisa M. Vaughn, and Natalya T. Riegg

Book Review: The N Word: Who Can Say It. Who Shouldn’T. And Why, Kimberly Burke, N. Reyes Franco, K. B. Bowman, Esther Rothblum

Journal of International Women's Studies

Review of The N Word: Who Can Say It. Who Shouldn’t. And Why by Jabari Asim

Book Review: Homoplot: The Coming-Out Story And Gay, Lesbian And Bisexual Identity, Amber Guthrie, Katie White, Esther Rothblum

Journal of International Women's Studies

Review of Homoplot: The Coming-Out Story and Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Identity by Esther Saxey

Book Review: Shout Out: Women Of Color Respond To Violence, Katie White, Lisa Covington, Jenna Stephenson, Esther Rothblum

Journal of International Women's Studies

Review of Shout Out: Women of Color Respond to Violence, edited by Maria Ochoa and Barbara K. Ige

Book Review: Women At The Top: Powerful Leaders Tell Us How To Combine Work And Family, Kristi R. Branham

Journal of International Women's Studies

Review of Women at the Top: Powerful Leaders Tell Us How to Combine Work and Family by Diane F. Halpern and Fanny M. Cheung

Book Review: We Share Walls: Language, Land, And Gender In Berber Morocco, Damla Isik

Journal of International Women's Studies

Review of We Share Walls: Language, Land, and Gender in Berber Morocco by Katherine E. Hoffman

Fighting For Subjectivity: Articulations Of Physicality In Girlfight, Katharina Lindner

Journal of International Women's Studies

The analysis of Girlfight (Karyn Kusama, 2000) in this paper is framed by critical discourses surrounding physically active female characters in the action genre, the conventions of the boxing film ‘genre’, the relationship between bodily spectacle and narrative structure, as well as the more general significance of the female boxer’s challenge to normative and binary notions of bodily existence and subjectivity. With a particular focus on the interrelationship between narrative structure and boxing sequences (‘numbers’), this paper explores notions of the (gendered) subjectivity constructed around the film’s female boxing character, Diana (Michelle Rodriguez). I will argue that the boxing ‘numbers’ …

‘Doesn’T That Make You Laugh?’: Modernist Comedy In Jean Rhys’S After Leaving Mr Mackenzie And Good Morning, Midnight, Laura Wainwright

Journal of International Women's Studies

This essay seeks to challenge critical analyses that view Jean Rhys’s early fiction as unrelentingly bleak and melancholic. I propose that in After Leaving Mr Mackenzie and Good Morning, Midnight, Rhys – often through her own distinctive brand of dry humour – experimentally dissolves the boundaries between comedy and tragedy, destabilising the social and cultural stereotypes of the funny man and the humourless, inadvertently comic woman. The image of the humourless woman writer in particular, I go on to suggest, is fundamentally undermined in these texts: I argue that Rhys’s unsettling tragicomedy subtly implicates the reader in the “comic” …

‘A Christal Glasse For Christian Women’: Meditations On Christ’S Passion In The Devotional Literature Of Renaissance Women, Frances James

Journal of International Women's Studies

This essay explores the complex relationship between women’s devotional writing in the sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries and the female claim to the authority to represent Christ’s body in textual form. I focus on the literary devices which female authors used to represent Christ in their writing and attempted to establish their own authorial voices within the means of public expression available to them. I advance a reading of Katherine Parr’s The Lamentacion of a synner (1547) and Elizabeth Tudor’s A godly medytacyon of the christen sowle (1548) as early Renaissance attempts to reconcile female authorship with the necessity of …

Introduction: Winning And Short-Listed Entries From The 2007 Feminist And Woman’S Studies Association Annual Student Essay Competition, Yvette Taylor, Melanie Waters

Journal of International Women's Studies

No abstract provided.

Speaking Of ‘Respect For Women’: Gender And Politics In U.S. Foreign Policy Discourse, 2001-2004, Alletta Brenner

Journal of International Women's Studies

The aim of this paper is to examine how a language of “women’s rights” entered into foreign policy discourses of the Bush Administration in the period of 2001-2004. Through a discursive analysis of speeches, press releases, interviews and written documents, I find that feminist-inspired language and concepts entered into the mainstream discourse on numerous occasions throughout this period, though usually in the service of other foreign policy objectives. In this analysis, I identify three primary “dialogical frames” in which such references appear, labelling these: “Us vs. Them,” “The Active Leader,” and “The Moral Community.” Many feminists have argued that these …

‘Sometimes The Meaning Of The Text Is Unclear’: Making ‘Sense’ Of The Scum Manifesto In A Contemporary Swedish Context, Katherine Harrison

Journal of International Women's Studies

In 2003 the first Swedish translation of the well-known second-wave feminist manifesto, the SCUM Manifesto by Valerie Solanas, was published. Publication of this text became intricately involved with a number of other contemporary events in Sweden which pose questions about that country’s widely perceived status as one of the most “gender equal” in the world. In this paper, I use the text’s own challenging content, provocative language and complicated history as a way into exploring its disruptive effects on Swedish society. I ask how and why the text retains its power to provoke and challenge some forty years after its …

Empowering, Degrading Or A ‘Mutually Exploitative’ Exchange For Women?: Characterising The Power Relations Of The Strip Club, Katy Pilcher

Journal of International Women's Studies

This paper seeks to characterise the gendered and sexualised power relations of both female and male strip clubs, and to signal what this means for establishing positive definitions of female desire. It is argued that while it is not useful to present female strippers, or female patrons of male strip clubs as purely passive victims of male heterosexism within these venues, it is equally damaging to assume that these venues represent a whole-scale challenge to conventional oppressive gender and sexual relations for women. Some research has even suggested that both strippers and their patrons are engaged in a ‘mutually exploitative’ …

Women Entrepreneurship In Micro, Small And Medium Enterprises: The Case Of Ethiopia, Eshetu Bekele, Zeleke Worku

Journal of International Women's Studies

This research article examines factors that influence the long-term survival and viability of a random sample of 500 micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) located in five geographical regions of Ethiopia based on a 6-year long follow-up study. The objective of the study is to identify key predictors of long term survival and viability in small businesses and enterprises in Ethiopia, and to find out if small businesses and enterprises operated by male entrepreneurs perform better than those operated by female entrepreneurs in Ethiopia. Data was gathered on key determinants of survival such as access to finance, managerial skills, level …

I Love New York: Does New York Love Me?, Shannon B. Campbell, Steven S. Giannino, Chrystal R. China, Christopher S. Harris

Journal of International Women's Studies

This article seeks to highlight reality television’s most popular re-articulation of the Jezebel and the Sapphire stereotypes while assessing its implications for African American women. Nearly eight decades after their inception in mass mediated culture, the Jezebel and Sapphire stereotypes have been reborn in the form of Tiffany Pollard, better known as “New York,” and her mother “Sister Patterson” (respectively). Television acts as a powerful socialization agent, and thus plays a significant role in how audiences shape their racially stratified and gendered world. Researchers employed discourse analysis to provide the rich contextual data necessary to capture the effects of I …

The Economic Empowerment Of Women: The Case Of Working Women’S Forum, India, Shanthi Nachiappan, S.N. Soundara Rajan

Journal of International Women's Studies

Dr.Jaya Arunachalam, recipient of Padmasri founded Working Women’s Forum in 1978 with an objective of social and economic up-liftment of poorest of poor women in Tamilnadu, India. Now WWF has more than 700,000 women members. This case study deals with how technology has helped these micro entrepreneurs to accomplish their business more effectively and efficiently and how it has introduced drastic changes to their lifestyle.