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Women in post-war Liberia.
Identities, opportunities and constraints in a
historical perspectiveVeronika FuestMax Planck Institute for Social Anthropology
Halle, Germany
LSA 39th ConferenceUniversity of Indiana
Bloomington, 24 March 2007
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The issues
Formal political representation in postwar countries of Africa
‚Affirmative action‘ by Liberia‘s president New female identities before the elections
Exploring female „gains“ during/after war
historical constellations and institutional change
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A model of the past (north-western Liberia)
Women as labor force
Controlled by elders and husbands
Division of labor
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Developments since 1990 - I
New roles and skills More responsibilities More scope of manoeuvre New jobs Self-help organizations Enrolment of girls in schools
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Developments since 1990 - II
Peace-making organizations Feminist identities Political participation at local and
national levels Contesting traditional leaders
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Foreign interventions and institutional change I
Proliferation of western gender discourse
Inclusive methods of training and sensitization
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Foreign interventions and institutional change II
Advice on gender policies and legislation
(Unintended) consequences: Increase in institutional complexity
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Historical Continuity
„Feminization“ of production, female-headed households
Women in leadership (informally and public office)
‚Cultural heritage‘ of Americo-Liberian rule
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Subgroups who have gained
Female politicians Leaders of new women‘s
organizations Business women Employees in the
peacebuilding and aid sector
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Constraints and prospects
Burden of responsibility as major providers
Lack of capital Lack of appropriate education Weakness of the legal system Conservative backlash
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Constraints and prospects
Role models of women in leadership positions
Importance of foreign support
Gender discourse as symbolic resource
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Thank you very much
for your attention!