DISRUPTING PATRIARCHY: CHALLENGING GENDER VIOLENCE IN POST-APARTHEID SOUTH AFRICA AND POST-CONFLICT NORTHERN IRELAND Pubblico

Tunney, Erin Marie (2012)

Permanent URL: https://etd.library.emory.edu/concern/etds/h128nf481?locale=it
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Abstract


Women in post-conflict Northern Ireland and post-Apartheid South Africa continue to
experience gender violence in three venues. First, paramilitaries in Northern Ireland, gangs in
South Africa, and groups of young men in both countries continue to dominate public space
and often inflict violence upon women. While paramilitary and gang activity might dominate
some communities more than others, all women live under the fear of attacks, harassment,
and rape from strangers while navigating public space. Second, women experience violence
within their most intimate relationships, and this violence can impact one's self-esteem,
physical health, and relationships with others. Third, institutions designed to protect women,
such as healthcare systems and criminal justice systems, remain ineffective in many instances.
Women continue to struggle for freedom from gender violence and sexual discrimination
because society has not transformed traditional dichotomies that elevate the masculine and
degrade the feminine. Gender binaries fester when patriarchal institutions facilitate
animosity, competition, and miscommunication between men and women. Challenging
gender violence involves disrupting patriarchy -- within social structures, within politics, and
within families -- that make gender violence permissible.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION 1

Investigating Northern Ireland and South Africa 6
Background of Northern Ireland 7
Background of South Africa 8
Primary Research Methods 12
Personal Statement 21
Organization 23


CHAPTER 1 PERFORMATIVE, INTERPERSONAL, AND STRUCTURAL VIOLENCE IN THE POST-CONFLICT TRANSITION 26


Performative Violence 29
Historical Background of Gender Role Stereotypes 39
Structural Violence 43


CHAPTER 2 MALE PERCEPTIONS OF FEMALE GAINS 50


Northern Ireland and Globalization: Men Lose and Women Win? 51


Political Gains 51
Economic Background 57
Post-Conflict 59
Educational Attainment 62
Economic Advancement 63


Perceptions that Women Gain at Men's Expense: Post-Conflict South Africa 66


Economic Background 66
Political Gains 67
Educational Attainment 72
Economic Advancement 74
Conclusion 79


CHAPTER 3 PARAMILITARIES AND GANGS IN PEACETIME 82


Women in Northern Ireland: Concerns for Safety after the Troubles 83
Paramilitary Intimidation of Women 85
Trafficking 98
Resistance of Paramilitaries 101
Women in South Africa: Lack of Safety after the Transition 105
Sexual Violence 105
Gangs 109
Conclusion 118


CHAPTER 4 WOMEN'S EXPERIENCE WITH PERPETRATORS OF SEXUAL AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE 120


Gender Role Stereotypes: Imposing Traditional Breadwinner and Caregiver Roles 123
Interfering with Women's Relationships with Children 126
Controlling Women's Sexuality 132


CHAPTER 5 VIOLENCE WITHIN SOCIAL SYSTEMS 138


Structural Violence of Health Systems 139
Structural Violence of the Criminal Justice System 151
Conclusion 175


CHAPTER 6 HEALING 176


Seeking Help 176
Helping Organizations in South Africa 190
Service Agencies: Access and Obstacles 191
Support through Christianity 196
Volunteerism 197


CONCLUSION 199


Attitudinal Change as Transformation 203
From Protection to Empowerment 204
From Responding to Incidents to Recognizing Patterns 208
Cooperation Instead of Competition 209
Conclusion 212


BIBLIOGRAPHY OF INTERVIEWS 215


BIBLIOGRAPHY 221

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