Analyzing Politics and Change in Women's Organizations
TL;DR: In this article, the case of Nicaraguan Mothers of Heroes and Martyrs (MOMs) is considered. And although some members in Matagalpa critiqued male domination, the organization itself did not set out to challenge the gendered division of labor; indeed, their collective demands relied upon and reinforced traditional gender identities.
Abstract: Research on women's political action too often passes over women's organizations that do not officially adopt a feminist ideology and do not explicitly set out to change gender power relations. Based on implicit notions that such women's organizations are nonpolitical (or less interesting), the research often supports a false dichotomy between feminist and nonfeminist organizations rather than illuminates women's common political ground. This study addresses women's collective action, politics and change by focusing on the case of Nicaraguan Mothers of Heroes and Martyrs - women who lost a son or daughter in the revolution or Contra War. Although some members in Matagalpa critiqued male domination, the organization itself did not set out to challenge the gendered division of labor; indeed, their collective demands relied upon and in many ways reinforced traditional gender identities. I argue that such movements are important to feminist political analysis. As I demonstrate in this article, an organization...
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01 Dec 2006
TL;DR: In this article, the authors argue for a multidirectional and gendered understanding of the causal relationship between emotion and collective identity, and identify four ways in which emotion and identity are causally linked: emotion-based identity, therapy, affective bonds, and change in collective identity leading to change in grieving style.
Abstract: This article argues for a multidirectional and gendered understanding of the causal relationship between emotion and collective identity. Based on interviews and participant observation with core members of a Nicaraguan mothers' organization, I identify four ways in which emotion and identity are causally linked: emotion-based identity, therapy, affective bonds, and change in collective identity leading to change in grieving style. These indicate a dynamic relationship between emotion and collective identity. Furthermore, to understand emotion-based collective identity and perceptions of the emotional benefits of participation, this relationship must be understood through gendered cultural expectations about emotion.
38 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors propose that maternal framing, aimed at mothers as well as a broader national and international audience, benefits militaries in at least three ways: (1) channeling maternal grievances, (2) disseminating propaganda through “apolitical” mothers, and (3) evoking emotions and sympathy nationally and internationally.
Abstract: Studies document that in wartime, states often employ maternal imagery and mobilize women as mothers.Yet we know relatively little about when and why states and their opposition do so. This study seeks to build theory for this phenomenon through frame analysis of the Nicaraguan Contra War. The author proposes that maternal framing, aimed at mothers as well as a broader national and international audience, benefits militaries in at least three ways: (1) channeling maternal grievances, (2) disseminating propaganda through “apolitical” mothers, and (3) evoking emotions and sympathy nationally and internationally. This study furthermore explores three underexamined features of both gendered studies of war and frame analysis: (1) It applies frame theory to states, (2) it develops our understanding of crossnational gendered framing strategies, and (3) it introduces gender framing to the study of war.
31 citations
TL;DR: This article found that women who do not conform to the profile of the "archetypal candidate" choose not to run and explore their decision to eschew parliamentary elections as an act of resistance against politics as usual in Melanesia.
Abstract: Existing explanations for why women do not get elected to parliament in Melanesia emphasize structural barriers to participation, including prohibitive costs and patriarchal norms. They are largely silent, however, on why those women who do conform to the profile of the “archetypal candidate,” and thus have the best chance of overcoming these barriers, choose not to run. Drawing on an extensive qualitative dataset, including forty in-depth interviews with emerging women leaders from three Melanesian countries, we find that many women are pessimistic about the way electoral politics are conducted. Echoing longstanding critiques of political practice, this cohort conceptualizes their political activity as being conducted in a parallel public sphere, in contexts in which they consider themselves more able to pursue programmatic reform. Rather than focusing on structural barriers, we explore their decision to eschew parliamentary elections as an act of resistance against politics as usual in Melanesia...
18 citations
Cites background from "Analyzing Politics and Change in Wo..."
...The question for donors and other would-be-reformers is whether emphasizing women’s participation in formal politics risks delegitimizing the political activity in which women are actually engaged (Bayard de Volo 2003; Lombardo 2008)....
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...We focus on this latter subgroup of women demonstrating both that they are “critical agents of social change” (Zetlin 2014) and the importance of women’s collective action (Bayard de Volo 2003)....
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigate if having a woman at the helm of country's decision-making processes leads to better indicators on women's conditions, using time-series observations for the period 2000-11, using the Liberian experience.
Abstract: Do women really improve conditions for gender equality after becoming heads of states? This study investigates if having a woman at the helm of country’s decision making processes leads to better indicators on women’s conditions. Using time-series observations for the period 2000–11, we test the hypothesis with the Liberian experience. We analyse six main gender indicators: gender equality, equality of representation in rural areas (basic community), economic rights of women, participation of women in active life, political rights of women and legislations for the protection of women against violence. Our findings do not show substantially significant changes between the first mandate of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and the period before. In essence, we only notice positive and statistical ruptures for equality of representation in rural areas and the economic rights of women. Policy implications are discussed.
11 citations
01 Mar 2010
9 citations
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Book•
01 Jan 1990
TL;DR: Michel Foucault menawarkan eksplorasi tentang mengapa kita merasa terdorong untuk terus menerus menganalisis dan mendiskusikan seks as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Michel Foucault menawarkan eksplorasi tentang mengapa kita merasa terdorong untuk terus menerus menganalisis dan mendiskusikan seks
4,883 citations
Book•
01 Jan 1987
TL;DR: The Second Edition of as discussed by the authors is a collection of essays about poststructuralism and postmodernism in the context of women's critical practice, including the following: 1. Feminism and Theory. 2. Discourse, Power and Resistance. 3. Language and Subjectivity. 4. Feminist Critical Practice.
Abstract: Acknowledgements. Preface to the Second Edition. 1. Feminism and Theory. 2. Principles of Poststructuralism. 3. Feminist Poststructuralism and Psychoanalysis. 4. Language and Subjectivity. 5. Discourse, Power and Resistance. 6. Feminist Critical Practice. 7. Feminism and Postmodernism. Notes. Bibliography. Index.
4,150 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explore why women are reluctant to speak up for what they think in interviews with 135 women, rich and poor, young and old, well-educated and unschooled.
Abstract: The authors of this provocative book pursue the disturbing question "Why are so many women reluctant to speak up for what they think?" in candid interviews with 135 women, rich and poor, young and old, well-educated and unschooled.
3,853 citations
1,306 citations