Women, Violence and Nonviolent Change

by Gnanadason, Aruna; Kanyoro, Musimbi; McSpadden, Lucia Ann

• ISBN13: 9782825411698
• ISBN10: 2825411698
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1996-07-01
• Publisher: World Council of Churches

Summary

A unique collection of analytical essays and case studies on the creative contributions women are making in the area of conflict resolution. The rich variety of approaches described (from women in Australia, Canada, India, Kenya, Nepal, the Netherlands, the Philippines, the United Kingdom and Vietnam) range from the political to the educational and the pastoral. Amidst conflict situations all around our increasingly violent world -- ranging from wars between and within nations to abuse of women and children within the home -- women are making effective, courageous and often creative nonviolent responses. Yet little attention has been given to the specific contributions of women to 'conflict resolution'. This book helps to fill that gap. After three analytical essays, women from 13 countries present case studies of how women's groups are confronting violence in their context. A rich variety of approaches is reflected here. What they have in common is that all grow out of an awareness of the interlinkages of various forms of violence, an emphasis on practical action and an insistence on nonviolence as the only appropriate and workable means of responding to violence.

Table of Contents

Introduction The Editors	vii
ANALYTICAL ESSAYS
Women as Peacemakers	2	(27)
Elizabeth G. Ferris
The Universality of Human Rights Discourse	29	(27)
Corinne Kumar-D'Souza
A Life of Endless Struggle: The Position of Women in Africa	56	(12)
Ruth M. Besha
CASE STUDIES
Australia: The Family Secrets Exhibition	68	(9)
Jo Barter
Cameroon: Halting Violence Against Women	77	(4)
Canada: After the Massacre	81	(7)
Lynn Granke
Dominican Republic: A Rising Tide of Violence	88	(3)
India: Reworking Gender Relations, Redefining Politics	91	(5)
Anveshi Collective
Kenya: Mothers in Action	96	(7)
Joyce K. Umbima
Namibia: Women's Solidarity	103	(5)
Gisella Haoses
Nepal: Devaki-Socio-Cultural Violence Against Women	108	(3)
Meena Poudel
The Netherlands: Nonviolence and Social Defence	111	(7)
Shelley Anderson
Papua New Guinea: Violence Against Women and Tradition	118	(4)
Judy Towandong
The Philippines: Dissent of the Migrant Women	122	(7)
Nena Gajudo Fernandez
United Kingdom: Women and Nonviolence-A Greenham Approach	129	(10)
Di McDonald
Vietnam: Nonviolent Activities to Prevent Violence	139	(6)
Le Thi Nham Tuyet
Ma Thi Phuong Tien
Contributors	145