South Caucasus

Citation:

Hofmann, Erin Trouth and Cynthia J. Buckley. 2011. “Cultural Responses to Changing Gender Patterns of Migration in Georgia.” International Migration 50 (5): 77-94.

Authors: Erin Trouth Hofmann, Cynthia J. Buckley

Abstract:

In this paper, we explore how individual women cope with the tensions between economic forces encouraging temporary labour migration and cultural norms tying “proper” women to their homes and families. Combining in-depth interviews with returned migrant women in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi with secondary migration data for the region, we illustrate the recent increases in Georgian women’s participation in international labour migration. Deteriorating economic conditions in Georgia leave women with few local opportunities to financially support their families, while institutional changes have altered the accessibility and attractiveness of international destinations, leading to increasing motivations and opportunities for women’s migration. Focusing on the contradictions between growing female migration and persistent adherence to cultural norms stigmatizing migration in Georgia, we explore the cognitive strategies migrant women employ in an attempt to balance internalized perceptions of acceptable gendered behaviour with their migration choices. Two key pathways of adaptation emerge: framing migration as a necessity rather than a choice and stressing the unique and individually exceptional nature of their own migration experience. We posit that these strategies may serve to limit the norm-challenging nature of women’s migration in Georgia. Although migration is often described as an empowering experience for women, if women migrants work to present their migration in a way that fits within the bounds of traditional gender norms, these norms may be strengthened rather than challenged.

Topics: Displacement & Migration, Migration, Economies, Gender, Women, Livelihoods Regions: Asia, Central Asia, Europe, South Caucasus Countries: Georgia

Year: 2011

Citation:

Buckley, Cynthia J., and Khatuna Doliashvili. 2008. “Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health in Post-Socialist Georgia: Does Internal Displacement Matter?” International Family Planning Perspectives 34 (1): 21–29.

Authors: Cynthia J. Buckley, Khatuna Doliashvili

Abstract:

Persons displaced by armed conflicts, natural disasters or other events are at increased risk for health problems. The Republic of Georgia has a substantial population of internally displaced women who may face elevated risks of STIs and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).

Topics: Displacement & Migration, IDPs, Gender, Women, Health, Reproductive Health Regions: Europe, South Caucasus Countries: Georgia

Year: 2008

Citation:

Vivero Pol, Jose Luis. 1999. “Stable Instability of Displaced People in Western Georgia: A Food-Security and Gender Survey after Five Years.” Journal of Refugee Studies 12 (4): 349-66.

Author: Jose Luis Vivero Pol

Abstract:

The Caucasus is one of the most troubled hotspots in the world, with the Georgian—Abkhazian conflict already lasting seven years. In conflict between 1992 and 1998, more than 100,000 people have been displaced to western Georgia, many of them twice. The paper examines the way this exile has severely affected their gender roles in production activities, with the collapse of the Soviet Union exacerbating the situation. Displaced women have increasingly become main household income earners working in petty trade and agriculture, while displaced men have a reduced role and an apathetic response to the situation. The paper examines the main food sources, concluding that there is no lack of food availability or food access, and highlighting the importance of the kinship network between the host and displaced community. Finally guidelines for future programmes are suggested, with a recommendation to include projects targeting men.

Topics: Displacement & Migration, Food Security, Gender, Gender Roles, Households, Livelihoods Regions: Asia, Central Asia, Europe, South Caucasus Countries: Georgia

Year: 1999

Citation:

Ishkanian, Armine. 2007. “En-Gendering Civil Society and Democracy-Building: The Anti-Domestic Violence Campaign in Armenia.” Social Politics: International Studies in Gender, State and Society 14 (4): 488–525.

Author: Armine Ishkanian

Abstract:

This article examines how women's non-governmental organizations (NGOs) were targeted as an important component of the democracy building and civil society promotion programs of the post-socialist period. In particular, it focuses on NGO organizing around the issue of domestic violence in Armenia. It argues that the framing of the problem along with the proposed solutions led to civil society resistance to and critique of the anti-domestic violence campaign. It considers both the causes and the implications of this resistance on organizing around domestic violence as well as the responses and adaptations of the NGOs involved in the campaign.

Topics: Civil Society, Democracy / Democratization, Domestic Violence, Gender, Women, NGOs Regions: Europe, South Caucasus Countries: Armenia

Year: 2007

Citation:

Kerimova, Jamila, Samuel Posner, Y. Teresa Brown, Susan Hillis, Susan Meikle, and Ann Duerr. 2003. “High Prevalence of Self-Reported Forced Sexual Intercourse Among Internally Displaced Women in Azerbaijan.” American Journal of Public Health 93 (7): 1067–70.

Authors: Jamila Kerimova, Samuel Posner, Y. Teresa Brown, Susan Hillis, Susan Meikle, Ann Duerr

Abstract:

Previous reports have shown that forced sexual intercourse and other forms of gender-based violence are a persistent public health problem for refugee or internally displaced women. (Internal displacement is defined as forced relocation within a person’s country of citizenship because of some catastrophic event.) In some settings, the proportion of refugee or internally displaced women reporting some type of gender-based violence exceeds 60%. Sexual violence against refugee or internally displaced women can cause women to flee their homelands. Unfortunately, these women are not always safe from harm after their relocation or after resettlement. Investigation of sexual violence affecting these women, its incidence, prevalence, and correlates is critical to the development of effective treatment and prevention strategies.

Topics: Displacement & Migration, IDPs, Refugees, Gender, Women, Gender-Based Violence, Health, Reproductive Health, Sexual Violence, Rape Regions: Asia, Central Asia, Europe, South Caucasus Countries: Azerbaijan

Year: 2003

Citation:

Najafizadeh, Mehrangiz. 2003. “Women's Empowering Carework in Post-Soviet Azerbaijan.” Gender & Society 17 (2): 293-304.

Author: Mehrangiz Najafizadeh

Abstract:

The Republic of Azerbaijan has undergone major social, political, and economic transition since declaring independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. In this article, the author examines how this transition and the Nagorno-Karabakh War with Armenia have affected women’s caregiving roles and how women’ s advocacy associations have emerged and function both as caregivers to Azeri women and as a mechanism for assisting Azeri women to be more effective caregivers to their own families and communities.

Keywords: Azerbaijan, empowerment, women's organizations, post-conflict transition, advocacy

Topics: Armed Conflict, Gender, Women, Post-Conflict, Post-Conflict Reconstruction Regions: Asia, Central Asia, Europe, South Caucasus Countries: Azerbaijan

Year: 2003

Citation:

Sabedashvili, Tamar. 2002. Women in the Decade of Transition: The Case of Georgia. Tbilisi: Heinrich Böll Foundation.

Author: Tamar Sabedashvili

Topics: Gender, Women, Gendered Power Relations, Gender Equality/Inequality, Governance, Post-Conflict Governance, Post-Conflict, Post-Conflict Reconstruction Regions: Asia, Central Asia, Europe, South Caucasus Countries: Georgia

Year: 2002

Citation:

Ward, Jeanne. 2002. If Not Now, When? Addressing Gender-Based Violence in Refugee, Internally Displaced, and Post-Conflict Settings: A Global Overview. New York: The Reproductive Health for Refugees Consortium.  

Author: Jeanne Ward

Keywords: gender violence, refugee, displacement, post-conflict, human trafficking

Annotation:

This report addresses gender-based violence (GBV) in refugee, internally displaced, and post-conflict settings through twelve country profiles: three each for Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. The profiles include background information, GBV issues, GBV-related programming, and recommendations. The report focuses almost exclusively on violence against women and girls, and human trafficking is one of the main issues discussed. 

Topics: Displacement & Migration, IDPs, Refugees, Refugee/IDP Camps, Gender, Women, Girls, Gender-Based Violence, Health, Reproductive Health, Post-Conflict, Post-Conflict Reconstruction, Sexual Violence, SV against Women, Trafficking, Human Trafficking, Violence Regions: Africa, Central Africa, East Africa, West Africa, Americas, Central America, South America, Asia, Central Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Europe, Balkans, Eastern Europe, South Caucasus, Oceania Countries: Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Colombia, Congo-Brazzaville, Guatemala, Kosovo, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Thailand, Timor-Leste

Year: 2002

Citation:

Gender Development Association. 1999. Conditions of Women in Georgia. Tbilisi, Georgia: United Nations Development Programme.

Author: Gender Development Association

Topics: Gender, Women, Rights, Women's Rights Regions: Asia, Central Asia, Europe, South Caucasus Countries: Georgia

Year: 1999