Women's Struggle Research Articles

2024 US Presidential Election: Reproductive Rights in Focus

More than a quarter of a century has passed since the member parliaments of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) adopted the Universal Declaration of Democracy in 1997 (Cairo, Egypt). The document was designed as an international standard to assist governments, parliaments, and citizens in overcoming the many challenges to democracy worldwide. Amid ongoing debates about democracy, there are voices in various countries suggesting that the declaration is losing its relevance due to the perceived devaluation of democracy itself. However, supporters of a different point of view emphasize its other features, such as its stability and flexibility, and high adaptability to modern challenges, as well as its continued usefulness in driving positive changes in people's lives. The American public's views on specific policies regarding abortion reflect broader perspectives on what lies behind the façade of a medical procedure. Abortion is not primarily a medical issue, although the procedure itself is inherently medical. It extends far beyond the medical realm. Indeed, the struggle of American women for their rights, particularly reproductive rights, spans multiple generations, tracing a long historical trajectory. In the first quarter of the 21st century, when American respondents were asked about the significance of abortion, the majority emphasized its philosophical and political dimensions. Specifically, 81% viewed it as a matter of individual rights and freedoms, situating it within the broader context of human and reproductive rights. Many perceived abortion as a health issue (68%) and moral issue (62%). Notably, this group of respondents includes Democrats, independents, and Republicans. Fewer respondents viewed abortion as a religious issue (41%), although most Republicans (55%) saw it in that light. The question remains: Is American model of democracy up to the task of mitigating the reproductive rights emergency in the United States?

SPIRITUAL HYBRIDITY IN ANA CASTILLO'S FEMALE CHARACTERS: A STUDY OF SO FAR FROM GOD AND THE MIXQUIAHUALA LETTERS

This paper explores the spiritual hybridity in Ana Castillo's novels "So Far From God" and "The Mixquiahuala Letters," focusing on the unique spiritual journeys of Mexican-American women. Castillo's storytelling delves into the complexities of spiritual identities, blending Catholicism with indigenous beliefs, curanderismo, and feminist ideologies. The paper examines how Castillo's female characters navigate the intersection of these diverse belief systems, challenging the traditional patriarchal structures within the Chicano community and the Catholic Church. Highlighting the criticism of the Catholic Church by Chicana activists, the paper discusses how Castillo's characters retain their Catholic faith while becoming politically conscious feminists. This synthesis challenges the binary view of being either a feminist or a Catholic, emphasizing the coexistence of feminist perspectives with traditional beliefs. In "So Far From God," Castillo portrays characters like Sofi, Esperanza, and Caridad, who embody spiritual syncretism as resistance, empowerment, and healing. This blend of traditions offers resilience against societal norms and historical wounds. Similarly, "The Mixquiahuala Letters" reveals the intertwined nature of feminism and spirituality through the correspondence between Teresa and Alicia, where their feminist spirituality acts as both a personal empowerment tool and a means of political resistance. The paper concludes that Castillo's portrayal of spiritual hybridity in these novels is central to the self-discovery, assertion, and communal union of her female characters. Their spirituality, a mix of endurance, survival, and empowerment, challenges stereotypes and patriarchal assumptions in Chicano communities. Castillo's narrative underscores the importance of spiritual hybridity in cultural and political resistance, offering a transformative perspective on the lives and struggles of Mexican-American women.

A Study on the Changes of Princess Images in Disney Animated Films

Abstract: There have been three feminist revolutions in history, and these movements have made great contributions to women's struggle for their own liberation and gender equality. From a feminist perspective, this article summarizes and analyzes the phased characteristics of the princess image in Disney animated films from 1937 to 2016, summarizing the development and evolution of the princess image in Disney films under the feminist wave in different periods, and finds that there is a certain connection between the two, which includes both the construction of social history and ideological order and the challenge to the social reality order. In general, the image of the princess seems to show obvious progressive characteristics, but there are different aspects and degrees of gender discrimination against the image of women in each stage. However, the different voices constructed by Disney in the film and the strategic adjustments made can still be regarded as a recognition of the power of feminism by the times and society.

Enhancing Women's Leadership and Agency in the Context of University Spinouts and Businesses

This paper is reporting the preliminary results of a case study at Coventry University. Using innovative methodologies, we map needs of women in academia who intend to start a university spinout/business and develop a supportive tool in line with the co-creational approach of Living Labs. Data collected at our creative workshop reveals how women struggle in a toxic masculine environment, in which they both identify external and internal barriers and difficulties in defining ‘business success’. Our suggestion to support them is to invest in Living Lab based networking opportunities, role models, and to develop a tool that models the business journey.

The Arab Woman In Israel In A Tight Spot: Academia And Career Versus Marriage And Family

This study concentrates on the impact that marriage has on the personal development of Israeli Arab women in the field of higher education and employment. These women are a minority within a minority as they belong to Israel’s Arab ethnic community but are also a gender-segregated minority within their patriarchal society. Whereas other studies touch on the overall struggle of Arab women to reach personal fulfillment despite intense family life, the focus of this study is specifically the marriage itself as a watershed in the young Arab Israeli woman’s life. To fully understand the challenges constructed by marriage, 25 Israeli Arab women were interviewed in-depth on a university campus. The findings indicate the negative effect that traditional marriage has on these women’s personal futures. The study concludes on the optimistic note that the interviews also revealed a deep awareness among young Arab women of their personal rights and liberties.

RESILIENCE AND LIBERATION: ANALYZING WOMEN'S RESISTANCE IN NO FOURTH RIVER THROUGH THE LENS OF LIBERAL FEMINISM

This study is aimed at analyzing the gender issues presented in a literary work by Christine Clayfield. This study explores the manifestations and impacts of women's resistance in the novel No Fourth River through the lens of liberal feminism, primarily drawing on Naomi Wolf's concept of power feminism. The analysis is centered on the main character, Christine, and her relentless struggle against patriarchal oppression. Critical forms of resistance, including desire, courage, independence, firmness, and hard work, are identified and explored in detail. Christine's journey reveals how these attributes enable her to confront and overcome systemic injustices. The findings underscore the importance of resilience and agency in women's liberation, empowering us to understand that these are the keys to significant personal and social changes, such as increased self-confidence, elevated social status, financial independence, and the fulfillment of love. This study contributes to the broader discourse on gender equality in literary studies, offering valuable insights into the ongoing struggle for women's rights and empowerment. By contextualizing Christine's resistance within the framework of liberal feminism, the research motivates us to continue the fight for gender equality, empowering us with the knowledge of the keys to personal and social changes.

Improving Pelvic Floor Muscle Training with AI: A Novel Quality Assessment System for Pelvic Floor Dysfunction.

The first line of treatment for urinary incontinence is pelvic floor muscle (PFM) training, aimed at reducing leakage episodes by strengthening these muscles. However, many women struggle with performing correct PFM contractions or have misconceptions about their contractions. To address this issue, we present a novel PFM contraction quality assessment system. This system combines a PFM contraction detector with a maximal PFM contraction performance classifier. The contraction detector first identifies whether or not a PFM contraction was performed. Then, the contraction classifier autonomously quantifies the quality of maximal PFM contractions across different features, which are also combined into an overall rating. Both algorithms are based on artificial intelligence (AI) methods. The detector relies on a convolutional neural network, while the contraction classifier uses a custom feature extractor followed by a random forest classifier to predict the strength rating based on the modified Oxford scale. The AI algorithms were trained and tested using datasets measured by vaginal dynamometry, combined in some cases with digital assessment results from expert physiotherapists. The contraction detector was trained on one dataset and then tested on two datasets measured with different dynamometers, achieving 97% accuracy on the first dataset and 100% accuracy on the second. For the contraction performance classifier, the results demonstrate that important clinical features can be extracted automatically with an acceptable error. Furthermore, the contraction classifier is able to predict the strength rating within a ±1 scale point with 97% accuracy. These results demonstrate the system's potential to enhance PFM training and rehabilitation by enabling women to monitor and improve their PFM contractions autonomously.

Conflicts and Restrictions: Flora Nwapa's Visionary Exposé of Women's Struggles in Nigerian Marital Contexts

This paper investigates acclaimed Nigerian Author Flora Nwapa's nuanced literary portrayals of the challenges Nigerian women face within marital roles and relationships. Through textual analysis of characters and events across Nwapa's novels, short stories and folklore centered on women's experiences, the study illuminates critical perspectives on issues of patriarchy, lack of autonomy, rigid gender roles, and socioeconomic restrictions undermining women’s agency and fulfillment. Core themes highlighted in Nwapa's subtle social commentary include anguish over infertility, hardships from prolonged spousal absence, emotional tolls of polygamy, lack of personal choice in partners, limited educational and career opportunities, economic dependence, and domestic violence. Her visionary work gives voice to Nigerian women’s aspirations while exposing oppressive structures. Findings substantiate how Nwapa’s rich depictions of women navigating complex marital terrain reveal an array of postcolonial and patriarchal impediments to female empowerment. Her literary portrayal of restrictions, conflicts and oppression compels critical examination of norms inhibiting women’s advancement. By confronting gender-based inequities and envisioning transformative possibilities, Nwapa leads African women writers in catalyzing legal and sociocultural reforms to promote women’s full flourishing.

Wait, What? What's Going On?- Pregnancy Experiences of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Mothers Who Do Not Sign.

Deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) women experience higher rates of reproductive healthcare barriers and adverse birth outcomes compared to their hearing peers. This study explores the pregnancy experiences of DHH women who do not sign to better understand their barriers and facilitators to optimal perinatal health care. Qualitative study using thematic analysis. Semi-structured, individual remote, or in-person interviews in the United States. Twenty-two DHH English speakers (non-signers) who gave birth in the United States within the past 5 years. Semi-structured interviews explored how DHH women experienced pregnancy and birth, including access to perinatal information and resources, relationships with healthcare providers, communication access, and their involvement with the healthcare system throughout pregnancy. A thematic analysis was conducted. The barriers and facilitators related to a positive perinatal care experience among DHH women. Five key themes emerged. For barriers, healthcare communication breakdowns and loss of patient autonomy highlighted DHH women's struggle with perinatal health care. In contrast, DHH participants outlined the importance of accessible health communication practices and accommodations, use of patient advocacy or self-advocacy, and assistive technologies for DHH parents for more positive perinatal care experiences. Perinatal healthcare providers and staff should routinely inquire about ways to ensure an inclusive and accessible healthcare experience for their DHH patients and provide communication accommodations for optimal care. Additionally, healthcare providers should be more aware of the unique parenting needs and resources of their DHH patients.

THE PORTRAYAL OF BLACK FEMINISM IN GARY GRAY'S SET IT OFF THROUGH CRITICAL RACE THEORY

Stories in films are based on social realities in people's lives, embedding messages behind them. Each film is packed with unique characters, events and issues reflecting aspects of life from a particular perspective. One of which is the principles of black feminism in the main characters and to analyze how economic and racial factors influence the character's decision to confront existing injustices depicted in Gary Grey’s Set It Off (1996). The method used is a qualitative research method. Data collection is conducted to sort and understand the research topic by using data from scenes, dialogues, words, and phrases obtained from the film. The main theories used in this research are the Critical Race theory by Kimberlé Crenshaw and the Feminist Economics theory by Marilyn Waring. The findings reveal that the film encompasses principles of black feminism such as racial discrimination, sexism and social class which are portrayed by each main character in the film. This article also depicts the influence of economic and racial factors on the character's decisions in confronting existing injustices. Analyzing this film aims to trigger and enrich the analysis of how films depict the struggle of black women with various problems, especially racial and economic issues.

Women Friendship in the novel Sula

This article examines the historical and cultural experiences of African-American women through the lens of Black feminist thought, with a focus on Toni Morrison's novel Sula (1973). The research question guiding this study is: How does Sula reflect the complexities of friendship, autonomy, and the quest for empowerment among Black women within a racist and patriarchal society? The study employs a literary analysis method, drawing on the historical context of Black American women’s oppression and the emergence of Black feminist ideology as theorized by scholars like Patricia Hill Collins. Findings reveal that Sula intricately portrays the deep bond between the two protagonists, Sula Peace and Nel Wright, against the backdrop of systemic oppression. Their friendship symbolizes the broader struggle of African-American women to navigate personal autonomy within a community shaped by the legacy of slavery. Sula’s defiance of societal norms, particularly in her relationships with men, highlights the challenges Black women face in seeking empowerment and identity in a society that marginalizes them. This study concludes that Sula not only captures the historical context of Black women's experiences but also serves as a significant contribution to the discourse on Black feminist thought, emphasizing the importance of friendship, autonomy, and resistance in the fight for liberation.

A Feminist Approach to the Images of Women in <i>That Long Silence </i>and <i>Palace of Desire (Qasr Al-Shawq)</i>: A Comparative Study

This paper investigates the depiction of women in Shashi Deshpande's That Long Silence and Naguib Mahfouz's Palace of Desire (Qasr Al-Shawq) according to the feminist approach. The study seeks to compare and contrast the way these two novels, which are considered among reputable 20th century fiction, represent female characters and their struggles for asserting their individualities in two types of male-dominated societies. That is to say, Shashi Deshpande, the Indian authoress of That Long Silence fathoms the struggles of women in a traditional Indian society. In this novel, she mirrors the great challenges that women face in such a patriarchal system. Therefore, this research traces the heroines’ experience highlighting how the novelist has tackled misogynism and biased societal prospects. On the other hand, Mahfouz's Palace of Desire sheds light on the stereotyped images of women and feminists attempts to free women within the changing political and societal setting of Egypt then. Aida's personality represents the ambitious woman who reconciles with her desires and does her best to assert herself in a male-dominated society despite all the social constraints trying to limit her aspirations. In this comparative study between the two concerned novels, the researcher seeks to reveal the similarities and differences in the representations of women in two different cultural backgrounds. So, the paper examines how each of these two novelists criticizes the patriarchal structures and advocates feminism in his/ her society exposing the ways through which gender roles and societal norms are presented. The study shows a deep understanding of feminist literary criticism by highlighting the cultural influence of the two societies in which women’s sufferings are revealed. So, the findings of the research offer new insights into the gender roles, misogynism, stereotyped images of women, old traditions and patriarchal systems in literature.

Emotional Management Strategies and Care for Women Defenders of the Territory in Jalisco

The struggles of several women defending their territories and lives are marked by family tensions and reactions to the overload of care tasks and community rules according to their socially established roles. In this qualitative research, we analyze and discuss the cases of three women’s collectives from different suburban and rural communities in Jalisco. Information recollected through the new ethnography approach over six years was coded and analyzed with the Atlas ti program. Results: Women’s defense of their land involvement, organizing, and social mobilization actions move to an overload of care and raise adverse reactions in their community and families in response to what is seen as a transgression of women’s roles. This increases dominant demobilization emotions: fear, sadness, loneliness, guilt, and shame. Through emotional management strategies linked with alternative forms of appropriation of space, starting with their bodies and sharing emotions and actions with their companions, the women in these collectives produced emotions of resistance: pride, hope, friendship, and anger, which led to reconfiguring their identities, family relationships, and roles within other place domains: bodies, family, and community. Conclusions: Women defenders, as principal carers of life, have produced and inherited a set of strategies that configure a growing “politics of the ordinary. “These strategies, through emotional management, subvert dominant emotions, feelings, and acting rules, gradually questioning and reinventing their roles and human and nonhuman relations in their most immediate contexts.

Kontribusi Pemikiran Tokoh Feminisme Islam

Women in Islamic studies have reached a very important position. Many gender activists have discussed this topic, especially regarding gender equality. Several prominent feminist figures in the struggle for women's rights and gender equality include Qasim Amin, Amina Wadud Muhsin, and Fatimah Mernissi. Each of them has their own views about women. This article was prepared with the aim of presenting several opinions from these feminist figures and then extracting them. The writing of this article applies library research methods by collecting library materials sourced from books, journals and online articles. Based on this study, the view is obtained that Islamic feminist thought is very influential in reconstructing the interpretation of the position of women in Islamic law. This is a form of confirmation that interpretation is a subjective matter that is greatly influenced by the interpreter. Muslim feminist thought is actually relevant to the current context where men and women have equal positions.

The Offering

Abstract: The story follows a woman who recounts her painful childhood, marked by abuse and her mother offering her to a dark creature. Now an adult, she must continue the tradition of offering her daughter to a dark force. Struggling with guilt and fear, she tries to escape the cycle of violence. The narrative explores legacy, the suffering it causes, and the woman's struggle for freedom and a normal life, while haunted by her past.

Exploring collective agency: a methodological approach to becoming differently

ABSTRACT Our main objective here is to show the methodological usefulness of philosophical ideas. Concretely, drawing on theoretical analyses related to the concept of social structuring processes (Elder-Vass) and becoming differently (Gilles Deleuze), we argue that the social struggles of Afro-Latin American women can be interrogated in their role of transforming normative identities and fostering innovative communitarian dynamics that enable adaptation and transformation. The central thesis is that embracing a social construction perspective characterised by fluidity, adaptability, and solidarity can offer an alternative philosophically grounded methodological framework capable of addressing the complexities of race, gender, and social justice in Latin America. In the context of the recent necessity to rethink mobilisation and social movements, our findings highlight the significance of structuring processes over identity differentiation and the importance of networked activities in facing systemic challenges. Ultimately, this study contributes to the possibility of moving towards more complex accounts of the plurality communitarian arrangements becoming active in the middle of reality changes and mutual efforts to deal with them.

The Outsider-Within Representations in Zora Neale Hurston’s and Georgia Douglas Johnson’s Folk Drama

The study aims to explore the shared experiences of Georgia Douglas Johnson and Zora Neale Hurston, incorporating the elements of African-American folklore in American theatre to negotiate the circumstances of black women. In addition, it scrutinizes how Johnson and Hurston utilize folk drama to navigate the political and artistic conflicts in the early 20th century, delving into the intricate interplay of ethnicity, gender, politics, and aesthetics. The study examines two folk plays from the Harlem Renaissance era: Johnson’s Plumes (1927) and Hurston’s Color Struck (1926). Both plays illustrate that the African-American drama probes into the struggles of black women as outsiders-within, challenging the prevailing racism and classism faced by black women in the Southern states. By analyzing the construction of identity in the experiences of black women through Patricia Hill Collins’s Black feminist theory, the study shows how Hurston and Johnson successfully depicted the position of women as ‘outsiders’ in their literary works, with their folk drama centering on women’s experiences and culture, employing black folklore to highlight the social protest of Black feminist theatre.

The Awakening and Challenges of Women's Rights: A Comparative Study under the Influence of the American Revolution and the French Revolution

Both the American Revolution and the French Revolution saw the emergence of women's rights in the modern West to a certain extent. Although both the French Revolution and the American Revolution were characterised by the struggle for women's rights, there were notable differences in the specific ways, times, and challenges they faced. This paper compares the emancipatory effects of the two revolutions on women and the independent links between women's emancipation in the local social and political contexts. It reveals that women's emancipation in the modern West was influenced by the unique internal structure of each country's society at the time. It is revealed that during the French Revolution, women's struggle for rights was more centred on the domestic and social level than on direct participation in the political decision-making process due to the development of capitalism in France. Conversely, women in the American Revolution were more concerned with political, legal, and social issues. This essay will examine the chronology of the pre-revolutionary, revolutionary, and post-revolutionary periods, with a focus on the differing national and revolutionary contexts of the two countries, the varying status of women, and the divergent approaches to the fight for women's rights.

Perlawanan perempuan yang terpinggirkan dalam Novel “Anak Semua Bangsa” Karya Paramodya Ananta Toer

This research aims to analyze the novel "Children of All Nations" by Pramoedya Ananta Toer in the context of the struggle of oppressed women in Dutch colonial society. This analysis uses a feminist approach, focusing on the resistance of marginalized women. This research uses a qualitative descriptive methodology, where reading and note-taking techniques are applied in the data collection process. Reading techniques are used to understand and interpret the content of the text, while note-taking techniques focus on female characters in the novel who experience various types of gender-based oppression and injustice. The results of text analysis show that in the patriarchal culture of the Dutch East Indies colonial era, indigenous women figures such as Nyai Ontosoroh aggressively resisted oppression and fought for the rights of women who were always oppressed and marginalized. This research found that women are often marginalized and disadvantaged in societies dominated by men since the colonial era. In conclusion, it is hoped that the findings of this research will help to better understand the resistance of marginalized women in historical and social contexts. Keywords: Feminism, Resistance, Marginalized

Transition, Adjustment, and Healthcare Avoidance: African Immigrant Women's Experiences and Perceptions of Navigating Primary Healthcare in the USA.

This study explores the transition and adjustment of African immigrant women, particularly Ethiopian immigrant women (EIW), as they navigate the U.S. healthcare system and their ability to access and utilize healthcare services. A qualitative cross-sectional design with a mix of purposive and snowball sampling techniques was utilized to recruit EIW (N = 21, ≥18 years) who arrived in the U.S. within the last five years. One-on-one in-depth interviews were conducted to collect data. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed thematically using Nvivo12 software. The thematic analysis revealed three major themes: (1) settling into new life in the U.S. delays EIWs' ability to access primary healthcare; (2) adjusting to the U.S. healthcare system: confusions and mixed perceptions; and (3) avoidance of care: EIW's reasons for PHC visits changed in the U.S. Participants avoided healthcare, except for life-threatening conditions, general check-ups, and maternal healthcare services. Transitional support for legal, residential, employment, and health information could help tackle the challenges of accessing primary healthcare for EIW. Future research should analyze access to healthcare in relation to the everyday struggles of immigrant women, as well as legal and complex structural issues beyond acculturative issues.