It is our intention to make available on this page a variety of papers dealing with radical feminist issues, so that the extent of the ongoing global oppression of women is not hidden from our eyes but illustrated forcefully in the words of the authors. It is our hope, too, that their words will inspire and strengthen us all to remain firm in our resolve to develop a feminist agenda and to expand the influence of feminist philosophy on world affairs.

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CONFERENCE PAPERS:

Papers from the International Women's Conference, "Connecting for Action in the Asia-Pacific Region", 13-15 June 2012 (Pacific International Hotel, Cairns, Australia) can be accessed here.

Papers from the International Feminist Summit,"Women of Ideas: Feminist Thinking for a New Era" , 17-20 July 2007 (Southbank Convention Centre, Townsville, Australia) can be accessed here.

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OPINION PIECE:

Enough is Enough - by Betty McLellan. Published in the Townsville Bulletin 25 May 2012.

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OTHER PAPERS:

Political Economy of Missing Girls in India - Vibhuti Patel, University of Mumbai, India

Abstract

Socio-Cultural Background of Son Preference and Neglect of Daughters- Deficit of women in India since 1901 -Violence against Women over the Life Cycle, from womb to tomb- female infanticide, neglect of girl child in terms of health and nutrition, child marriage and repeated pregnancy taking heavy toll of girls’ lives- Selective Elimination of Female Foetuses and selection of male at a preconception stage-Legacy of continuing declining sex ratio in India in the history of Census of India has taken new turn with widespread use of new reproductive technologies (NRTs) in India. NRTs are based on principle of selection of the desirable and rejection of the unwanted. In India, the desirable is the baby boy and the unwanted is the baby girl.

 

No Place to Call "Home": A feminist ethical inquiry into women's experience of Alienation - Betty McLellan, Coalition for a Feminist Agenda, Townsville, Australia

Abstract

The extreme masculinist culture which constitutes today's world is a culture of violence in which conflict is never actually resolved. As such, a situation exists where most women do not and cannot feel at home. Such an experience of prolonged "homelessness" or "alienation" has serious social and psychological effects on women, and these effects are examined in relation to violence in the home, in society and at a global level. It is argued that women have a central part to play in the establishment of a new, less violent world order and that feminism needs to be alert to today's challenges and be prepared to form new, appropriate global alliances to meet those challenges.

 

Why the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement is Bad for Us - Susan Hawthorne, Victoria University, St Albans Campus, Melbourne, Australia

Introduction

At the end of 2002 the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade called for submissions on the proposed Australia–United States Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA). The call was put out on 11 December 2002 with a deadline of 15 January 2003. Since this is the period when most working people take annual summer holidays, the timing suggests that the government negotiators were not really interested in receiving substantive responses.
During 2003 I have watched with growing concern the apathy and disinterest of the media in the upcoming bilateral agreement. I began writing about it in late 2002, and the following article is made up of two shorter articles which were published in Arena. The first appeared in Arena Magazine, No. 63. Feb-March, 2003: 29-32. The second article which focuses on the likely impact on women appeared in Arena Magazine, No. 68. Dec 2003-Jan 2004:10-11....

 

Tactics of oppression in the peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians: A feminist perspective - Ruchama Marton, Physicians for Human Rights-Israel, Tel Aviv, Israel

Abstract

The Camp David peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians took a form similar to that used by domineering men toward dominated women. These talks show the futility of militaristic modes for making peace. What happened in these negotiations closely resembles what I have often seen as a therapist in the psychotherapy of couples. In these situations, one person, ordinarily the man, is in the role of oppressor and the other, generally the woman, is oppressed. Under these conditions the pattern of communication between the couple does not serve to solve problems or to reach understandings, but rather to replicate the inequality between them.
The Israeli negotiators were not ready for concessions. They therefore proceeded to negotiate in a way designed to control and dominate the Palestinians. In this paper I analyze the tactics used for this purpose.

 

Reclaiming the Fragmented Self through Conflict Resolution - Mercedes Llarinas-Angeles, Trainer and Consultant, the Philippines.

Introduction

Imbalances of  power in relationships, which could be social, political, or economic lie at the root of most conflicts in our families, communities, in society and in the world.  Disempowerment, violence, oppression, un-kept promises, and violations of agreements by the powerful partner or party are the cause of many conflicts, and could become consequences as well, leading to cycles,  spirals, and eventually a culture of violence. Women are most often the less powerful partners or parties in these conflicts.  History and current experiences show that women are also most vulnerable to violence and oppression due to their subordinate status to men..... Yet women have always struggled  and survived over their  experiences of violence. In this paper, I shall share with you how women survivors are recovering from the effects of trauma due to violence in their lives and contributing towards our understanding of conflict and ways to solving conflict.