Synopses & Reviews
Women Across Cultures examines contemporary women's issues and empowerment from a global perspective. Gender inequality is examined as a historical, sociocultural phenomenon within the context of interlocking systems of inequality such as racism, colonialism, and economic injustice. A strong emphasis is given to the variety of approaches and actions women take to promote gender equality and to influence women's progress. The influence of intersectional and contextual factors on women's issues, activism, and movements are a key focus.
Synopsis
This text examines and documents the issues women face in terms of lower status and lower power around the world and across cultures. The book then discusses what is being done from the local to the global level to address women's issues, empowering women and promoting women's equal rights.
Table of Contents
Preface 1 Introduction to Global Women's Studies Theme 1: Global Women's Studies Sees Gender Inequality as a Historical, Sociocultural Phenomenon Theme 2: Global Women's Studies is About Activism and Empowerment Theme 3: Global Women's Studies Takes a Multicultural, Intersectional, and Contextual Approach The Importance of Similarity The Importance of Difference The Challenge of Multiculturalism Theme 4: Global Women's Studies Views Women's Rights as Human Rights Overview of the Book Study Questions Discussion Questions 2 Women's Low Status and Power Men's Greater Economic Power Men's Greater Legal and Political Power Males' Higher Status Females as Property Violence Against Women (VAW) Domestic or Intimate Partner Violence Dowry Murder Honor Killing Sexual Violence and Exploitation Rape Sexual Violence in Conflict and Post-Conflict (War Rape) Prostitution Conclusion Study Questions Discussion Questions and Activities Action Opportunities Activist Websites Informational Websites 3 Reproductive Health and Reproductive Rights Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Maternal Mortality Maternal Morbidity (Disability) Female Genital Cutting Contraception, Reproductive Choice, and Reproductive Health Abortion The Agents that Control Women's Reproductive Choice and Health Government Men The Global Economy and Corporations Religious Organizations Women Conclusion Study Questions Discussion Questions and Activities Action Opportunities Activist Websites Informational Websites 4 Women's Sexuality and Sexual Rights A Woman's Sexuality Is Often Not Her Own Sexual Rights as Human Rights Sexual Rights, Sexual Orientation, and Gender Identity Efforts to Define Sexual Rights as Human Rights Sexual Orientation and Global Women's Studies Lesbian and Bisexual Women Compulsory Heterosexuality and Heteropatriarchy Lesbian and Bisexual Invisibility Consequences of Lesbian and Bisexual Invisibility Lesbian Feminism Lesbian Responses to Heterosexism and Invisibility Conclusion Study Questions Discussion Questions and Activities Action Opportunities Activist Websites Informational Websites 5 Women's Work The Relationship between Women's Work, Status, and Power Feminist Economics Women's Unpaid Labor Gender-based Divisions of Household and Care Labor Explanations for Gender-Based Divisions of Household and Care Labor Women's Paid Labor Effects of Paid Work on Women Maternity Protection and Childcare The Gender Pay Gap: Explanations and Solutions The Glass Ceiling: Explanations and Solutions Sexual Harassment: Explanations and Solutions Self-Employed Women Conclusion Study Questions Discussion Questions and Activities Action Opportunities Activist Websites Informational Websites 6 Women, Development, and Environmental Sustainability Background Development Terminology Colonial History Women in Developing Nations Feminist Concerns with the Development Process Traditional Development Programs Fail to Recognize Women's Economic Contributions Traditional Development Programs Have Not Reduced Women's Considerable Workloads Traditional Development Programs Focus on Men's Income Generation Traditional Development Programs Have Contributed to Erosions in Women's Status Women in Development Approach (WID) Income-Generating Projects Labor Saving Technologies Improving Women's Access to Development Resources Gender and Development Approach (GAD) Women, the Environment, and Sustainable Development Sustainability Basics Effects of Environmental Degradation on Women 156 The Role of Women in Sustainable Development 157 Progress in Acknowledging Women and Sustainable Development Women and Environmental Activism Conclusion Study Questions Discussion Questions and Activities Action Opportunities Activist Websites Informational Websites 7 Women and Globalization The Effects of Globalization on Women Women's Work in the Transnational Factory Women's Sweatshop Labor Activism to Stop Sweatshop Labor The Global Economy and Women's Migration Migrating for Domestic and Care Work Migrating to Marry Women and Girls' Labor in the Global Sex Trade Sexual Tourism Sex Trafficking Conclusion Study Questions Discussion Questions and Activities Action Opportunities Activist Websites Informational Websites 8 Women and Religion Diversity and the Study of Women and Religion Religious and Spiritual Diversity Religious Fundamentalism Critiquing and Deconstructing Religion Masculine God Language Sexism in Religious Texts Gender-Segregated Religious Practices Reforming and Reconstructing Religion Women and The World's Major Religions Islam Judaism Hinduism Buddhism Christianity Intersectional Feminist Theologies Feminist Spirituality Conclusion Study Questions Discussion Questions and Activities Action Opportunities Activist Websites Informational Websites 9 Women in Politics Women's Voting Women Representatives in Parliaments, Congresses and Cabinets Importance of Women Representatives in Parliaments, Congresses, and Cabinets Explanations for Gender Differences in Political Representation Increasing the Women Representatives in Parliaments and Congresses Women Heads of State: Presidents and Prime Ministers Paths to Power Gender Differences in Leadership Advocacy of Women's Issues Women in Informal Politics: Social and Protest Movements Women's Action around Economic Issues Women's Action around Nationalist and Racial/Ethnic Issues Women's Action around Humanistic/Nurturing Issues Conclusion Study Questions Discussion Questions and Activities Action Opportunities Activist Websites Informational Websites 10 National and Local Women's Movements Forces Operating against Women's Activism Early (Mistaken) Assumptions about Women's Movements Assuming that All Women's Movements Use the Feminist Label Assuming Western Feminist Concerns are the Concerns of All Women Different Strands of Women's Movements Contextual Factors Affecting Women's Movements Practical and Strategic Gender Interests Local Political and Economic Conditions Women's Movements Arising from Class Struggles Women's Movements Arising from Nationalist Struggles Factors Affecting the Influence of Democratization on Women's Movements Women's Movements and State Feminism Debate about the Role of the State Factors Affecting the Success of State Feminism Evaluating the Success of Women's Movements Conclusion Study Questions Discussion Questions and Activities Action Opportunities Activist Websites Informational Websites 11 Transnational Women's Movements and Networks The Transnational Women's Movement and the United Nations The UN's World Women's Conferences Transnational Feminist Influences on the UN Transnational Feminism and Women's Rights as Human Rights CEDAW: The International Women's Bill of Rights Challenges to a Women's Human Rights Agenda Conclusion Study Questions Discussion Questions and Activities Action Opportunities Activist Websites Informational Websites Appendix Glossary References Index