Search -
Plight and Fate of Women During and Following Genocide (Genocide: a Critical Bibliographic Review) (v. 7)
Plight and Fate of Women During and Following Genocide - Genocide: a Critical Bibliographic Review - v. 7 Author:Samuel Totten The plight and fate of female victims during the course of genocide is both similar to and, in some respects, radically and profoundly different from their male counterparts. During the course of genocide, female victims, like males, suffer demonization, ostracism, discrimination, and deprivation of their basic human rights. Likewise, they are o... more »ften rounded up, deported, and killed. But, unlike most men, they have also been subjected to rape, gang rape, and mass rape. Such assaults and degradation can, and often do, result in horrible injuries to their reproductive systems and unwanted pregnancies. This astonishing collection takes one stride towards redressing these grievances, and attempts to overcome policies calculated to continue such indifference to great human suffering.The horror and pain suffered by females do not end with the act of rape. There is always the fear, and reality, of being infected with HIV/AIDS. Concomitantly, there is the fear, and reality, of becoming pregnant as a result of having been raped. Then, there is the birth of the babies. In many cases, the very sight of the babies and children remind the mothers of the horrific violations they suffered. In certain cases, mothers harbor a deep-seated hatred and/or distain for such babies/children, which results in even more misery. Often times the hatred is so great that the children born of rape leave home early in order to fend for themselves on the street.This seventh volume in the "Genocide" series will provoke debate, discussion, reflection and, ultimately, action. To disregard the issues presented - the ongoing mass rape of girls and women across the globe during periods of war and genocide, ostracism of females who have suffered abuse, terrible psychological and physical wounds the victims carry with them each and every day of their lives, the plight of offspring of those who have been raped, the critical need for medical and psychological services for those who have suffered such indignities - would be unconscionable.« less