Striking Women: Struggles and Strategies of South Asian Women Workers from Grunwick to Gate Gourmet

Author(s): Sundari Anitha, and Ruth Pearson

Lawrence and Wishart, London, 2018, pp. 226

The authors focus on two important strikes in the UK in two different socio-economic contexts: whereas the two year Grunwick strike for union recognition had national support and was backed by secondary picketing, the Gate Gourmet confrontation in 2008 lacked union support (secondary picketing was now illegal). But the authors see both strikes as challenging stereotypes about Asian women, and draw on in-depth interviews with strikers to show the influence of migration (from East Africa or the Punjab), initial high expectations and anger at their low pay and poor working conditions. The book also makes comparisons with trade union struggles in today's gig  economy.

The struggle with the stigma associated with rape

Author(s): Rym T. Ghazal

In: Arab News, 2019

In this comprehensive article, Rym Tina Ghazal sheds light on the difficult condition women living in the MENA region face if they fall victim to rape. She highlights the pervasive culture of blame that prevent women from reporting episodes of abuse, and the still predominant practice of ‘honour killing’ that women risk for being sexually assaulted. She also publicises the weeks-long campaign #ShameOnWho led by the Lebanese women’s rights group ABAAD in 2018, aimed at addressing the social stigma that women suffer in the aftermath of sexual violence.

For more on #ShameOnWho, please see https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lebanon-rape-rights/shameonwho-campaign-uses-art-to-change-lebanese-attitudes-to-rape-idUSKCN1NC2GK

Available online at:

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1428896

Shah of Shahs

Author(s): Ryszard Kapuscinski

Penguin Books, London, 2006, pp. 152

Originally published: 1985

Celebrated analysis by distinguished Polish journalist of later years of Shah’s regime and meditation on power, the role of fear and the nature of revolution.

Two wheels good for Karachi's female riders

Author(s): Saba Imtiaz

In: Guardian Weekly, 2019

Brief but illuminating article about the liberatory role of cycling for women, both as a group sport and as means of travelling to and from work and avoiding the crowded public transport, where sexual harassment is rife. Imtiaz notes the hostility of conservative Pakistani men to women cycling.

500 ejemplos de noviolencia. Otra forma de contar la historia

Author(s): Sabino Ormazabal

Fundación Manu Robles-Arangiz, Bilbao, 2009

This book is a compendium of many examples of nonviolent action, mainly in the Basque country, but also from the rest of the world. The examples are presented individually, without a connecting link, so this is not a history, but a compendium of cases.

Available online at:

http://www.mrafundazioa.eus/es/centro-de-documentacion/libros/500-ejemplos-de-no-violencia-otra-forma-de-contar-la-historia

Social Currents in Eastern Europe: the sources and consequences of the great transformation

2nd edn

Author(s): Sabrina Petra Ramet

Duke University Press, Durham, 1995, pp. 616

Prolific author on history and culture of East and Central Europe, whose other titles Rocking the State: rock music and politics in Eastern Europe and Russia, Westview Press, 1994, and Nihil Obstat: Religion, Politics and Social Change in East-Central Europe and Russia, Duke University Press, 1998, as well as various books on Yugoslavia and its successors.

How has Donald Trump’s first year affected women

Author(s): Sabrina Siddiqui

In: The Guardian, 2018

Discusses the women’s resistance movement that developed in the context of the incoming Trump’s presidency and the subsequent creation of the ‘Me Too’ movement, with particular regard to the restrictions on abortion and contraception put in place by the forty-fifth’ U.S. Administration.

Available online at:

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/jan/18/how-has-donald-trumps-first-year-affected-women

Protests and Regime Suppression in Post-Revolutionary Iran

Policy Notes PN85

Author(s): Saeid Golkar

The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, Washington D.C., 2020

Golkar examiines the November 2019 upsurge of protests, comparing it with 2017-18.  He also analyzes the regime responses, its investment in new technologies for its security forces, but also attempts in 2020 to improve welfare for the poor. 

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