Women and Nation-Building

Abstract

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“My pain grows as my life dwindles”: Women, poetry, and resisting state violence in Afghanistan

“…Much like other artistic behaviors of resistance, the acceptance of poetry, along with the messages it conveys, is gradual, and in isolation it is unlikely to bring immediate structural change. However, coupled with other efforts, the beginnings of structural change for women in Afghanistan are there (consider the recent passing of the Elimination of Violence Against Women law of 2009 and the greater inclusion of women in post-conflict politics, including better representation in Parliament and Grand Tribal Councils (Collins, 2015) and educating women to vote in the country's 2004 presidential election (Bernard et al, 2008)). The broader contribution of poetry that must not be marginalized is the gradual acceptance of women having a voice when historically they have been silenced.…”

Microfinance and Women’s Empowerment in Ghana: Challenges and Prospects

“…Women contribute immensely to the well-being of the family, and their contributions to national development are duly recorded in history (Tegegne, 2012). Despite women's indisputable role in society and nation-building, it is on record that they face challenges of inequality and disempowerment (Benard, Jones, Oliker, Thurston, & Lawson, 2008). Women have few opportunities to engage in economic activities, and the problem is more pronounced in the rural areas in Ghana.…”