Gender in world
politicsBy Ann Tickner
Virginia de la Fuente
Contents
The Author What is feminism? Defining gender Feminist Theories Myth of protection Feminist definitions of security Gender in global economy Undervaluing women Using knowledge to inform policy practice
The Author
Ann Tickner Feminist IR theorist. Professor of International Relations at
the University of Southern California. Scholar at the School of International
Services, American University, Washington DC.
She critiqued mainstream international relations theorists for the omission of gender from their theory and practice.
What is feminism?"Feminism is the radical notion that
women are people“By Marie Shear, 1986
Academic discipline which looks for defining, establishing and achieving equal political, economic, cultural, personal, and social rights for women.
Waves of feminismEnd XIX- Early XX
Early 1990s
Rights for women’ suffrage
Sexuality, family, the workplace, reproductive
rights, discrimination, and official legal inequalities
Abolishing gender roles expectations and stereotypes
Early 1960s
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3
Defining gender
Both women and men assign more positive value to masculine characteristics.
Being a “real men” to succeed in global politics.
Theories of Feminism I
Liberal Feminism1) Women’s subordination2) Removing legal obstacles=Women’s
equality3) Woman in institutions and practices of
global politics how their work affects or is affected by international policy-making.
Critics gender inequalities continue in societies with legal equality.
Theories of feminism II
Feminist critical theory1. Roots in Gramscian Marxism.2. Explores manifestation of gendered
identities and gendered power in gender politics.
3. Sandra Whitworth Feminism and International Relations. Different ways gender has been understood over time in IPPF and ILO.
Theories of feminism III
Feminist social constructivism1. Ideas about gender can influence
global politics.2. Global politics shapes ideas about
gender.3. Elizabeth Prügl The Global
Construction of Gender. Treatment of home-based work in international law.
Theories of feminism IV
Feminism poststructuralism1. Knowledge and power. It has been
based on men’s lives.2. Charlotte Hooper Manly States.
Textual analysis of The Economist, saturated with masculinity and gendered messages.
Theories of feminism V Post-colonial
feminism1. Western feminism is
based on privileged Western women.
2. Chandra Mohanty Women’s subordination must be addressed within their own cultural context.
Myth of protection
Men = protectorsWomen&children = need protection
Raping and prostitution as military strategy.
Bosnia-Serbia war. US military bases in South Korea
Military prostitution.
Feminist definitions of security
Security means the diminution of all forms of violence, physical, economic or ecological.
Think about security from the bottom up instead of from the top down.
Individual>State
Gender in the global politics I Gendered division of labor Unequal structures in the global economy.
Woman = housewifeMan=breadwinner
Consequences:1. Women are disproportionately
represented in caring professions.2. Low wages and double burden
Gender in global politics II
Women in US
Gender in global politics IIIComparing wages between Journalist Men and Women
Gender in global politics IV
Best countries for women to work (more equality)
Undervaluing women I
Undervaluing woman II
Using knowledge to inform policy practice
Women efforts are giving fruits:
1. NGOs and social movements.
2. UN Decade for Women (1976-85)
3. Development Alternatives with Women for a New Era (DAWN) Southern women.
Questions1)Which part of the
world is more needed of Feminism influence?
2)Do you have any stereotype about how a woman must be?
3) What do we need to change first in order to have an equal society?