Seminar Series: Abstract

1:00
March 23 2009
Seminar Room C

From “Fallen Blossoms” to “Army Latrines”: the Sexual Politics of Interpreting & Representing Rape during Conflict Situation
Joyce Wu

PhD candidate, Anthropology, Faculty of Arts

The politics of representation has long been influential in constructing the discourse, perception, norms and attitudes exhibited around the issue of sexual violence during peace-time. From the ways in which victims/survivors and perpetrators are depicted, the use of language and tone, to the manoeuvring of information – how facts are presented or omitted – not only illustrate the prevailing norms and attitudes about sexual violence and gender roles, but it also affect the ways in which policy makers and influential bodies respond to the matter.

Using Cynthia Enloe’s “the curious feminist” approach, I want to examine how gender-based violence is understood and represented during conflict, where it is the military and military-like agents who perpetrate rape and abuse of civilians and where when traditional understanding of “victim” and “perpetrator” are less well-defined. In addition, how have these competing discourses influenced the ways in which the international community chose to respond through aid programs? Using the case studies of Rwanda and Bosnia, I will explore the sexual politics of representation, and assess the strengths and weaknesses of current aid program responses from select key agencies from a feminist perspective.

This is a work-in-progress presentation of my PhD research on militarised gender identities and sexual violence during conflict situation.