Human Rights for All
Examining Three International Women: Resilience in Building Local Cultural Influence
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Patty Goodman, Sahar Rehman, Zirui Yan
Through a case analysis of three international women in varying public roles, Sheryl Sandberg, COO Facebook and Lean In movement; Dr. Kiran Martin, Indian NGO - Asha CEO; and Malala Yousafzai, Leader of Malala Fund – girls’ education, the researchers formulate a taxonomy of language by examining the women's impact on the community. This exploration offers insights into how Western language impacts the fusing of multiple cultures. Resilience is analyzed through examples of leadership within the cultural communities. The outcome of the taxonomy will be to identifying a common language for cultural hybridization.
Gender Dimensions - Socio-cultural Perspectives in Indian Society
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Nirupama Prakash
The Indian civilization has produced great women ranging from Braham vadinis (lady Rishi) to states woman, from ideal wife to warrior queen. Hindu mythology witnesses that the status of Hindu woman during the vedic period was respectable. The strong cultural background of Indian society and high status of women kept them healthy from all perspectives. During the post-vedic period, women started losing the status in society. She lost her independence. She became a subject of protection. Women were pre-ordained for procreation. Subsequently, the socioeconomic status of Hindu women were very much lowered and had to depend on the male in every activity. The social evils like Purdah System came into force. Child marriage was prevalent. Incidence of female infanticide and custom of Sati could be witnessed. During the British rule in India, various reforms were initiated with respect to status of women. While girls are also considered necessary, the birth of a boy has been considered more desirable. These cultural attributes have left a deep mark on gender dynamics in India; of-course it varies according to specific variables operating in Indian society such as caste, class, rural, urban, education, region and other socioeconomic parameters. In this paper, these issues are explored in light of globalization, which has impacted women in Indian society in many ways ushering in positive socio-economic changes thus empowering women and breaking the shackles of patriarchal society.
Towards New Analyses and Approaches for Transnational Challenges: Engaging with Gender, Human Security, and Empowerment in the Case of Forced Migration in Turkey
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Kinga H. Karlowska
As transnational movements and crises become more emblematic of the state of contemporary global affairs, the need for new frameworks of analyses has become imperative in order to ensure most effective approaches. Of these transnational crises, the world currently faces the highest level of displacement ever witnessed, making forced migration a pertinent issue to address. In particular, the Syrian civil war has forced millions to flee, most of which have resettled in Turkey, the country which hosts the highest number of refugees worldwide. Therefore, Turkey demonstrates a relevant context to analyze forced migration through a human security framework. Human security provides a tool for comprehensive analysis through the synergy of security, development, and human rights. Nevertheless, feminist scholars have also pointed to the need for a gender analysis in human security policy. Based upon interviews with groups that work with refugees in Turkey, such as the Turkish government, international organizations, NGOs, and researchers, in addition to a focus group with refugee women, this paper shows the importance of utilizing gender and human security to address current transnational challenges.
