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Females in a Circle of Violence in Northeastern Nigeria
Journal of Information and Computational Science ISSN: 1548-7741 FEMALES IN A CIRCLE OF VIOLENCE IN NORTHEASTERN NIGERIA Sule Isah Kazaure1and P. Durga Rao2 1Research Scholar Department of Sociology, School of Humanities Lovely Professional University, Phagwara-144411, Punjab, India. Email: [email protected] 2Associate Professor Department of Sociology, School of Humanities Lovely Professional University, Phagwara-144411, Punjab, India. Email: [email protected] Abstract: Women and girls experienced human right violation both at the hands of the sect and the security agents since the emergence of Boko Haram terrorist group of Nigeria in northeastern region.Violation of human rights among the security personals has been a common phenomenon. It is on this background, this paper intends to explore how Boko Haram abducted females and their deployment as suicide bombers. The paper deployed secondary data and content analysis to arrive at this junction.The present paper further discusses on the mode of recruitment and cases of sexual harassment particularly among the security agents in the Internally Displaced Persons camps. It also addresses the consequences faced by the survivors in their respective communities. Keywords: Girls, Kidnapping, Rape, Suicide Attack, Women, 1. Introduction Females in the Northeastern region of Nigeria found themselves in a circle of violence as a result of the Boko Haram (BH) terrorist group activities. According to United Nations Human Rights (UNHR, 2019), females in the Northeastern region of Nigeria are increasingly becoming vulnerable to rape, kidnapping, suicide bombers and other violence. Findings reveal that two third of females in the region have experienced gender-based violence since the emergence of BH terrorists. -
“It Is Not Charity, It Is a Chair of Power” - Moving Beyond Symbolic Representation in Afghanistan’S Transition Politics?
“It is not Charity, it is a Chair of Power” - Moving Beyond Symbolic Representation in Afghanistan’s Transition Politics? Andrea Fleschenberg Research Study Publication Series “Reviewing Gender Quotas in Afghanistan and Pakistan” 2016 “It is not Charity, it is a Chair of Power”1- Moving Beyond Symbolic Representation in Afghanistan’s Transition Politics? Research Study Publication Series “Reviewing Gender Quotas in Afghanistan and Pakistan” 2016 Andrea Fleschenberg 1 “It is not charity, it is a chair of power and when you are there, you have to get tough with all the vulnerability you face” (interview with MP Farkhunda Zahra Naderi, Kabul, April 2015). The Heinrich Böll Stiftung is a German foundation and part of the Green political movement that has developed worldwide as a response to the traditional politics of socialism, liberalism, and conservatism. Our main tenets are ecology and sustainability, democracy and human rights, self-determination and justice. We place particular emphasis on gender democracy, meaning social emancipation and equal rights for women and men. We are also committed to equal rights for cultural and ethnic minorities. Finally, we promote non-violence and proactive peace policies. To achieve our goals, we seek strategic partnerships with others who share our values. Our namesake, Heinrich Böll, personifies the values we stand for: protection of freedom, civic courage, tolerance, open debate, and the valuation of art and culture as independent spheres of thought and action. For further information on our country programs in Afghanistan and Pakistan please visit our websites: www.af.boell.org www.pk.boell.org Disclaimer: This comparative action research project and its publication series were prepared with the support of the Heinrich Böll Stiftung, Afghanistan office. -
Nigeria: the Bolstering of Boko Haram Versus the State's Response
Conflict Studies Quarterly Nigeria: The Bolstering of Boko Haram versus the State’s Response Charles NYUYKONGE and Osai OJIGHO Abstract. As asymmetric warfare perpetuates in Nigeria, the resultant loss of life and destruction of public and private infrastructure attributed to Boko Haram has put Nigeria in the international spotlight. Although international support is being deployed to bolster Nigeria’s efforts to repress Boko Haram’s insurgency, mostly in the Northern part, attacks in other cities in Central Nigeria compel the need for more in-depth analyses to understand what fuels Boko Haram’s growth, and determine the best approach to ensure Nigerians’ safety in curbing the insurgency. This paper is premised on the assumption that factors sustaining Boko Haram have yet to be fully understood by policymakers and until that is done, restoring order in Northern Nigeria will remain elusive. The paper further argues that should Boko Haram be responsible for all attacks outside of their key areas in core North of Nigeria then their capability to destabilize Nigeria is yet to be contained. Lastly, that these attacks are, possibly, the emergence of unknown insurgent groups capitalizing on the fragile security situation to showcase the weaknesses of the Nigerian security forces and government as a whole. What needs to be done by the government is in part what this paper posits in its recommendations. Keywords: Boko Haram, Nigeria, insurgency, Charles NYUYKONGE security. Senior Researcher, Knowledge Production Department, ACCORD, Mount Edgecombe, South Africa Emergence and bolstering of Boko Haram Osai OJIGHO Deputy Executive Director, With much critical ink being spilt on civil- Alliances for Africa (AfA), Ikeja, ian-targeted attacks in Nigeria and little or Lagos State, Nigeria nothing on the genesis, evolution and mul- E-mail: [email protected] tiple factions within the extremist Jama’atu Ahlus Sunnah lidda’awati wal Jihad (People Committed to the Propagation of the Issue 15, April 2016, pp. -
Afghanistan's Parliament in the Making
The involvement of women in Afghanistan’s public life is decreasing. Attacks, vigilantism, and legal processes that contradict the basic principles of human and women’s rights are the order of the day. The security situation is worsening in step with the disenchantment E MAKING H arising from the lack of results and functional shortcomings of existing democratic structures. In the face of such difficulties, we often forget who should create the legal underpinnings for the power in Afghanistan: the women and men in parliament who are working to build a state in these turbulent times of transition. To what extent will these elected representatives succeed in creating alternatives to established traditional power structures? What are the obstacles they face? What kinds of networks or caucuses are they establishing? This book, which is based on interviews of male and female members of parliament held in Kabul in 2007 and 2008, examines the reali- IN T pARLIAMENT ANISTan’s H ties of parliamentary work in Afghanistan. It shows how varied and G coercive the patterns of identification prevalent in Afghanistan can AF be, and it provides a rare opportunity to gain insights into the self- images and roles of women in parliament. ISBN 978-3-86928-006-6 Andrea Fleschenberg Afghanistan’s parliament in the making Andrea Fleschenberg Gendered understandings and practices of politics in a transitional country .) ED BÖLL FOUNDATION ( BÖLL FOUNDATION H The Green Political Foundation Schumannstraße 8 10117 Berlin www.boell.de HEINRIC Afghanistan’s parliament in the making Andrea Fleschenberg, PhD, currently works as research associate and lecturer at the Institute of Social Science at the University of Hildesheim, Germany. -
Fall 2007 Bulletin
FALL 2007 Volume 23 Number 1 CONTENTS • From the WID Office ..... 1 • Articles ............................ 2 • Audiovisuals ................... 5 • Monographs and Technical Reports ......... 5 • Periodicals ...................... 7 • Books ............................... 8 • Study Opportunities .... 11 Bulletin • Conferences .................. 12 • Grants and Fellowships .................. 13 • Calls for Papers ............ 14 • Online Resources ......... 15 • Cooperation Column ... 16 • Book Review ................. 16 Executive Editor: Anne Ferguson, PhD Women and International Development Managing Editor: a program of J. Christian Reed Editorial Assistants: Nichole McLaughlin Monica Mukerjee Design and Layout: Michigan State University Terri Bailey Karim, Managing Editors, at [email protected]. If the abstract suggests your paper is suitable for the Working From the WID Offi ce Papers series, the full paper will be invited for peer review and publication consideration. WID Working The Women and International Development (WID) Papers are available online at http://www.wid.msu.edu/ Program welcomes back readers of the WID Bulletin, resources/publications.htm. our tri-annual publication highlighting recent literature, resources, and events relevant to activists, Following are recently published Working Papers: researchers, and academics in the area of * WP 288 Development, Democracy, and Women’s gender and development in the Global Legislative Representation: Re-Visiting Existing South. If you are already subscribed Explanations of Gender Variations in the World’s we welcome your comments and Parliaments. By Jocelyn Viterna, Kathleen M. contributions; if you would like to Fallon, and Jason Beckfi eld. 21 pp. (April 2007) subscribe, please contact us using * WP 289 International Trade Liberalization the information printed on the cover. and Gender Wage Inequality: A Cross-National WID is now a program within the new Analysis 1975–1998. -
Victims of History and Culture: Women in the Novels of Khaled Hosseini and Siba Shakib
VICTIMS OF HISTORY AND CULTURE: WOMEN IN THE NOVELS OF KHALED HOSSEINI AND SIBA SHAKIB ABSTRACT THESIS V : SUBMITTED FOR THE AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF IN t ENGLISH j^ BY JAMSHEED AHMAD T7880 UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF Dr. Aysha Munira Rasheed DEPftRTMKNT OF ENGblSH ALIGARH MUSLIM UNIVERSITY AUGARH -202002 (INDIA) 2012 T7880 Abstract The thesis entitled "Victimsof History and Culture: Women in the Novels of Khaled Hosseini and Siba Shakib" has been chapterised into four chapters. It attempts to discuss the victimization of women characters in the hands of history and culture. Women and History Though the novels concerned are not historical in the strict sense of the word, the title of the thesis demands a parallel study of literary (the novels) and non-literary (the history of the country) texts. Both the novelists have drawn in abundance from the historical happenings of Afghanistan. The unstable political history of Afghanistan which had been marked by power struggles, armed revolts and mass uprisings had a direct bearing on the social fabric of this multi-ethnic country which is well mirrored in the novels. History of Afghanistan stands a testimony to the fact that the issues related to women have always been one of the various reasons for unstable polity. A cursory examination of history reveals that at various junctures in the history, the issues related to women have been among the reasons behind the fall of various regimes. Afghanistan is a country with deep patriarchal roots and a tribal-based family structure. In Afghanistan, family is at the heart of the society. -
Men in Terrorism: from Chechnya’S Black Widows to the Women in the Islamic State
(WO)MEN IN TERRORISM: FROM CHECHNYA’S BLACK WIDOWS TO THE WOMEN IN THE ISLAMIC STATE Mackenzie Waddell-Harris University of Ottawa Graduate School of Public and International Affairs Major Research Paper – Final Submission July 19, 2017 Contents List of Figures ................................................................................................................................. 3 Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... 4 Part One: An Introduction to Women in Terrorism Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 6 Research Question ................................................................................................................... 8 Defining Terrorism .................................................................................................................. 9 Literature Review.......................................................................................................................... 12 A Review of Female Terrorism ............................................................................................. 14 A Theoretical Framework: Women, Gender & Terrorism ........................................................... 20 The Women, Peace, and Security Agenda ............................................................................. 22 Part Two: A Case Study Approach Women in Modern -
Malalai Joya by Mary Beaudoin
Tearing Off the Masks of Those Who Hide behind Women’s Skirts: Malalai Joya by Mary Beaudoin “From the sky, Occupation forces are bombing, killing civilians—mostly women and children. On the ground, Taliban and warlords together continue their fascism. If the U.S. and NATO left my country, the backbone of the Taliban and warlords would be broken.” —Malalai Joya Malalai Joya, Afghan feminist and activist. “The Afghan War Logs,” released last summer by WikiLeaks, revealed that the CIA advised using the plight of Afghan women as “pressure points” to rally flagging public support for the US/NATO war on Afghanistan. For that reason, the CIA must have been thrilled when last July Time Magazine featured on its cover the shocking photo of a young Afghan woman with her nose missing, reportedly cut off on Taliban orders. Next to the photo Time posed the Question, “What happens to the women of Afghanistan if we leave?” The story is a perfect example of institutional synergy between an administration waging war and supportive media producing propaganda. In a message to readers, Time’s managing editor Richard Stengel announced: “The stated intention is to counterbalance damaging WikiLeaks revelations—91,000 documents that, Time believes, cannot provide emotional truth and insight into the way life is lived in that difficult land.” The term “cover story” took on added meaning with the article. Despite disclaimers to the contrary, the Time report on conditions of women in Afghanistan served as a rationale for the war/occupation, giving cover for US/NATO involvement—a gift the CIA could only have hoped for. -
The Participation of Afghan Women in the Reconstruction Process the Participation of Afghan Women in the Reconstruction Process by Laura Grenfell
Human Rights Brief Volume 12 | Issue 1 Article 7 2004 The aP rticipation of Afghan Women in the Reconstruction Process Laura Grenfell Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.wcl.american.edu/hrbrief Part of the Human Rights Law Commons, International Law Commons, and the Women Commons Recommended Citation Grenfell, Laura. "The aP rticipation of Afghan Women in the Reconstruction Process." Human Rights Brief 12, no. 1 (2004): 22-25. This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Washington College of Law Journals & Law Reviews at Digital Commons @ American University Washington College of Law. It has been accepted for inclusion in Human Rights Brief by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ American University Washington College of Law. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Grenfell: The Participation of Afghan Women in the Reconstruction Process The Participation of Afghan Women in the Reconstruction Process by Laura Grenfell ESPITE AFGHANISTAN’S GREAT STRIDES TO EMERGE to leave home without the escort of a close male relative, prohibit- from two decades of war and oppression, the country ed women from working in the public sphere (except in the area of Dstill has a long way to go before it achieves peace and health care), and banned girls over eight years old from attending stability. Of particular concern are the significant barriers women still school. Religious police enforced these laws, publicly threatening face to full participation in the political reconstruction process. A and beating women for minor infractions. 2003 report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Although the Taliban is no longer in power, women still face observed that “Women suffer continued violence and discrimination serious hurdles to participation in the fledgling democratic process. -
Female Suicide Bombers: Dying for Equality?
Female Suicide Bombers: Dying for Equality? Edited by Yoram Schweitzer The Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies (JCSS) JCSS was founded in 1977 at the initiative of Tel Aviv University. In 1983 the Center was named the Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies – JCSS – in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Jaffee. The purpose of the Jaffee Center is, first, to conduct basic research that meets the highest academic standards on matters related to Israel’s national security as well as Middle East regional and international security affairs. The Center also aims to contribute to the public debate and governmental deliberation of issues that are – or should be – at the top of Israel’s national security agenda. The Jaffee Center seeks to address the strategic community in Israel and abroad, Israeli policymakers and opinion-makers, and the general public. The Center relates to the concept of strategy in its broadest meaning, namely the complex of processes involved in the identification, mobilization, and application of resources in peace and war, in order to solidify and strengthen national and international security. Female Suicide Bombers: Dying for Equality? Edited by Yoram Schweitzer Memorandum No. 84 August 2006 Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies טרור המתאבדות: מתות לשוויון? יורם שוייצר, עורך This study is published with the assistance of the gift of the late Esther Engelberg Editor: Judith Rosen Graphic Design: Michal Semo Cover Design: Yael Kfir Printing House: Kedem Printing Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies Tel Aviv University Ramat Aviv Tel -
Sochi: Games with Frontiers by Gerald Stang
4 2014 Dmitry Lovetsky/AP/SIPA Dmitry Lovetsky/AP/SIPA Sochi: games with frontiers by Gerald Stang Russia is often seen as a land of extremes – and remains occupied by Russian troops more than the narratives for this month’s Winter Olympics five years after the 2008 war. In response to con- in Sochi reflect that view. From the record-length tinued worries about the threat of terrorist attacks, 65,000 km Olympic torch run (which included Russian security services extended the security trips to outer space, the north pole and the bot- zone for the games deep into Georgia, and Putin tom of the world’s deepest lake) to the incredible may even invite the leaders of both Abkhazia and $51 billion price tag and the Ian Flemingesque South Ossetia to an opening dinner for foreign threat of attacks from black widow terrorists, the heads of state. That Moscow can casually use re- Sochi games have a distinctly Russian flavour. The cently ‘conquered’ territory to ensure protection Kremlin appears to have envisioned the games as for an event attended by the whole world is indica- a national triumph, not unlike the 2008 Beijing tive of Russia’s clout. Yet the necessity for such an Olympics, with organisational, architectural and extensive security perimeter highlights the fragility sporting successes that could unite the country. of Russia’s position. However, with global headlines dominated by sto- ries of corruption, human rights abuses, anti-gay laws and the very real threat of terrorist attacks, Unrest, terror and sport one might be forgiven for wondering whether the Russian government regrets its decision to bid for The Sochi Olympics will be Russia’s first winter the games. -
Globalizing Afghanistan: Terrorism, War, and the Rhetoric of Nation Building
S I G N S Winter 2013 y 495 Globalizing Afghanistan: Terrorism, War, and the Rhetoric of Nation Building. Edited by Zubeda Jalalzai and David Jefferess. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2011. Land of the Unconquerable: The Lives of Contemporary Afghan Women. Edited by Jennifer Heath and Ashraf Zahedi. Berkeley: University of Cali- fornia Press, 2011. Elaheh Rostami-Povey, University of London ince September 11, 2001, Western powers have used the discourses of S capacity building, women’s empowerment, and the universality of de- mocracy to deny their imperial domination of Central Asia and the Middle East. Nation building from outside and above has excluded the majority of the population and has exacerbated ethnic, religious, class, and gender conflicts while undermining the prospect of a local democracy.1 The two books under review here make an important contribution to the literature on the impact of foreign intervention into socioeconomic and political developments in Afghanistan, particularly in relation to wom- en’s and gender issues. In Globalizing Afghanistan: Terrorism, War, and the Rhetoric of Nation Building, Zubeda Jalalzai and David Jefferess have assembled a range of articles that discuss how the ongoing conflict in Af- ghanistan requires an engagement with the framework of globalization. Chapters provide analyses of the ways terrorism, war, security, and the rhetoric of state and nation building provide insight into a globalized Af- ghanistan. This book also discusses the role of Afghanistan as a site of evolving articulations of transnationalism, particularly in a feminist frame. Hence, a number of contributors to this volume demonstrate the im- portance of including diverse Afghan women in the process of nation and state building to ensure attention to women’s rights issues.