Banned in public institutions in France and Turkey, mandatory in Saudi Arabia and Iran, no other item of clothing incites such furious reactions. The Islamic veil – a catch-all term that encompasses everything from a simple headscarf to the all-covering burqa – has, over the past decade, become a heated battleground for debates on everything from women’s rights to multiculturalism. Elizabeth Bucar goes beyond the simplistic question of whether the veil is “good” or “bad” to ask instead why it has become so politically symbolic. Cutting through the condescension and fear that typify the debate, she reveals the huge diversity of women’s experiences of veiling.
Survey of the entire life experience of women in Europe over 300 years, structured in three parts: mind, body and spirit. This updated edition contains: a new chapter on gender and race in the colonial world: expanded coverage of eighteenth century developments including the Enlightenment: discussions of masculinity, single women, same-sex relations, humanism, and women’s religious roles within Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Other themes include: the female life-cycle, women’s economic roles, artistic creations, education and witchcraft.
This publication provides an introduction to women's political participation and representation across a wide range of countries and regions. Using statistical overviews and case-study accounts, the authors document both historical trends and the contemporary state of women's political strength across diverse countries. In addition to describing worldwide themes, the book acknowledges differences among women through attention to intersectionality and heterogeneity among women.