Women and Politics
Women and Politics Author: Edwin Nebolisa NWAKAEME Originally Published at Peace and Conflict Monitor on: 03/11/2009 Category: Comment Though so many international laws exist that recognizes and gives rights to women to participate in politics like their male counterparts, women’s participation in politics is still very low in Africa. This is basically due to poverty […]
Biological Determinism: Gender and Peace in the Contemporary British Context
This article explores contemporary British gender relations as premised upon biological determinism. Through an analysis of the definitions of peace and violence, the link between gender relations and peace are exposed. Gender is problematised by exploring the way that scientific knowledge constructs and reinforces dichotomies of man and woman. Through a gendered analysis of contemporary British gender relations I argue that questions of gender relations are externalised and ignored. I propose that we, my generation of young men and women, need to engage creatively with our gendered identities in order to seek a more peaceful existence.
Female Faces of Farsi Freedom
Iran’s controversial 2009 election led to massive street protests, the launch of a new Green Movement, a new Social Media Movement (incited by the banning of traditional media from the country), and a newly inspired Iranian Feminist Movement. Women from all ages and walks of life added their voices to the protests. Zahra Rahnavard and Fatemeh Karoub, the intelligent, influential and inspiring wives of liberal leaders Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi helped commence this eminent female uprising, and Ahmadinejad’s cabinet has recently appointed female representative Marzieh Vahid Dastjerdi as Minister of Health. As Iranian women gain more political clout, we may see a return to the days when women enjoyed positions of status and prestige in the country.
Security Sector Reform in Nepal: A Discussion of Gender Dimensions with Reference to UNSCR 1325
Key Words: Nepal, UNHCR 1325, Security Sector Reform, Gender, Peacebuilding
Realizing the Relevance and Power of Liberian Women: An Epiphany on the Road to Peace (1999-2005)
Horace P. Nagbe reflects on his gendered identity constructed while growing up in Liberia. He then gives an historical account of the country´s violent past which gave rise to a change in his superior male perception: the efforts of the Women in Peacebuilding Network. This group of women recognized the urgent need to bring peace to Liberia and while being suppressed and violated by the government who ignored the citizen´s call for peace, these women came together to pressure the government towards peaceful change. This group inspired the movie Pray the Devil Back to Hell and played a significant role in establishing democratic elections in Liberia.
RE: To Drive, or Not to Drive; Not a Question for Saudi Women
RE: To Drive, or Not to Drive; Not a Question for Saudi Women Author: Rob L. Wagner Originally Published at Peace and Conflict Monitor on: 02/10/2010 Dear Editor: I read with growing alarm Jaclyn Nardone’s essay entitled “To Drive, or Not to Drive; Not a Question for Saudi Women.” If this essay was meant […]
International Women’s Day, 2011: Time to Make the Promise of Equality a Reality
Michelle Bachelet, Executive Director of UN Women presents a message on gender equality and women’s rights in recognition of International Women’s Day, March 8, 2011.
Re-Valuating Gender and the Environment: Paradigm Shifting toward a Human Rights Based Approach to Development
In her highly nuanced academic analysis, UPeace alumna Ani Colekessian delves into the historical-theoretical links between concepts of gender and the environment. She calls for a gendered, human rights based approach to development as the means to overcome the dangers of relegating both women and the environment to the misplaced patriarchal construct of an undervalued “feminine” at the disposal of the dominant “masculine”.
Saudi-Islamic Feminist Movement: A Struggle for Male Allies and the Right Female Voice
In this report, journalist Rob Wagner analyzes the nuances of the contemporary Saudi feminist movement and its innovative methods of advocacy to garner support for women’s rights and gender-neutral Sharia in Saudi Arabia. He highlights the challenges associated with the Saudi feminist movement in the face of anti-Western activism rejecting their calls for rights to education, travel and other freedoms currently denied by Saudi Sharia.
Saudi Women’s Empowerment: Deep pockets, Not Political Activism, is Leading to Independence
Journalist Rob L. Wagner examines the growing wealth of Saudi Arabian women, who under Sharia have complete control of their finances. Changes in commercial and real estate laws have given women more flexibility in investing their money in business opportunities. However, Saudi society is slow to embrace such changes, creating roadblocks for women seeking to develop profitable businesses. Yet changes in Saudi society are coming from young Saudi women who came of age in the post-9/11 era. They are returning from Western universities armed with degrees and expectations that jobs and investment opportunities are available.