RESOURCES!
Africa
The situation of children in Zambia, Catherine Mwanamwambwa, Zenebeworke Tadesse SIDA : S-105 25 Stockholm Sweden. May 1979
This is a very full report about the situation of children in Zambia, giving detailed statistics about not only education at all levels, but health facilities, sanitation, provision of water, food production, and non-school activities. The two African researchers approach the situation of children as needing to be taken In the whole socio-economic and political context not only of Zambia itself, but the "world outside". The report ends with recommendations based on the well-developed analysis which also emphasis the situation of women in this country.
The Village Woman in Ghana Jette Bukh, Center for Development Research, Published by the Scandinavian Institute of African Studies P.O. Box 2126, S-750 02 Uppsala, Sweden.1979
This book is based on a study carried out in the village Tsito, Southeast Ghana, in different periods from 1973 to 1978. It is a fascinating analysis of the social, economic and political situation of women in this part of Ghana, looking at land tenure systems, agricultural production systems, labour, marriage practices and divorce, women's access to education, and the impact of all these on women. It finally looks at women's reaction to oppression and the need for them to organize from the local situation. An excellent book.
Asia
Role of the University In the Women's Movement edited by Eva I. Shipstone and Nora Shipstone Asian Women's Institute 37 Cantonment Road
Lucknow, India.
This book is an anthology of papers presented at the Asian Scholars' Seminar in 1978, sponsored by the Asian Women's Institute in Seoul, South Korea. It explores the role of the university in the women's movement in light of the rapid transformation of social, political and economic structures in Asia. The papers emphasize the responsibility of the university to eliminate the tradition of forming world views from a predominantly male perspective. The university must provide opportunities to women for in doing so it will advance possibilities for a more balanced and progressive development of mankind.
Feminist Japan, 7-3-12 Roppongi Minato-ku, Tokyo Japan 106
Feminlst Japan, a bimonthly journal of women's culture published in Japanese, is pleased to announce that its second International Issue will be published in January 1980. We hope to contribute to the ongoing dialogue among women around the world and to promote a better understanding of the progress and problems of Asian women in their struggle for equality.
About half the articles in the International Issue will be on
Japanese women with a focus on aging and the life cycle. The situation of women in a number of other Asian countries will also be explored. Wherever possible, the articles will be written by women of the countries concerned.
New York office: Dr. Diane Simpson, 555 Main St. S1802, Roosevelt Island, New York 10044, USA.
Latin America
Third World , Periodistas del Tercer Mundo, Apartado Postal 20-572; Mexico 20 D.F. Mexico City
Third World is a new English-language edition of Cuadernos del Tercer Mundo, a monthly magazine published by Third World Journalists whose aim is to provide alternative information to Third World countries. Covering all areas of the Third World, this magazine aims to contribute to the knowledge of the realities and experiences of the Third World, promote the awareness of Third World peoples on the causes of underdevelopment and means to overcome it, and promote cooperation among progressive sectors in industrialized countries. Although it is not specifically women-oriented. Third World clearly makes an attempt to include women, especially in photographs, and in some articles. In the sense that it is the first of its kind (sound political analysis) it is a valuable resource. Rates (including airmail): 10 issues US$ 20.00, 5 issues US$ 12.00, single issue US$ 2.50.
Europe
EUROPE
Women of Europe Commission of the European Communities Directorate-General of Information Rue de la Loi 200 B-1049 Brussels, Belgium
Published four times a year in both French and English (French title: Femmes d'Europe), this newsletter gives extensive information about women both within the European Economic Community and its organs, and within the member countries. It covers details about laws, childcare, employment, social funds, as well as a well-annotated listing of various women's and feminist organizations in the EEC, listed by country. The most recent issue (No. 10/1979) gives considerable detail about the results of the European Parliament elections in June this year, and the 67 women who were elected. Also lists "militant" activities (battered wives groups, groups to set up feminist parties, research groups on homeworkers, groups fighting for domestic workers' rights, etc.), and research, meetings and books. An excellent source of information on European women's groups. (No subscription rates published).
SWITZERLAND
L'Echappee Belle, Case Postale 111 1227 Carouge/Geneva
This brochure is a practical manual on women's legal rights and the way they can defend themselves against repression. It is written by women in Geneva from their experiences, and gives practical details on how to deal with the law, the police and judges, on how homosexuality, demonstrations, pirate radios, squatting etc. are repressed, on the way in which the police and prison systems are organized, on anti-terrorist laws, and on how to combat these giving useful advice and contacts. Price: S. Fr. 15. ~ from above address. In French.
UNITED KINGDOM
Women's Research and Resources Center Newsletter, WRRC 190 Upper Street London N. 1.
The Women's Research and Resources Center is working to provide information facilities for people doing research on subjects of importance to women and the women's movement. Facilities include seminars, a library, a research index, information on women's studies, and the WRRC Newsletter which appears every two months. The Newsletter gives details of events, women's studies, current research and publications and a good section of book reviews. A n excellent resource. Annual subscriptions: £5.00, £10 to institutions.
Women & Work Hazards Group, BSSRS 9 Poland Street, London, W. 1.
This group is part of the British Society for Social Responsibility in Science (BSSRS) which was set up in 1968 as a response to the great "misuses" of science which were then evident. The Women and Work Hazards Group has just put together a "Health and Safety Information Packet" which contains a four-page pull-out, a copy of Hazards Bulletin in which they collaborate, and a collection of one-page briefs on accidents, legislation, workers' rights, dangers to women's reproductive systems, lists of further literature and publications, and lists of trade union groups with whom they work. Packets ordered specially from above address. Hazards Bulletin costs £1.50 per year (5 issues), £5.00 for institutions.
BSSRS also has a Politics of Health Group which exists to develop a better understanding of how health and disease are produced in our society. They believe that the fundamental causes of ill-health lie in the social and economic structure of society, and that they are matters for public debate and political action. They recently produced a pamphlet entitled Food and Profit - it makes you sick, which examines the food industry as an example of the way in which ill-health is produced in our society. 28 pages of clear and well-presented analysis. £0.50 from above address.
North America
WIRE Service c/o Marianne Miller-d'Alessandro 308 West 93rd Street no. 36 New York, N.Y. 10025 USA
WIRE - Women's International Resource Exchange - is a group of North and Latin American women, first organized as Action for Women in Chile (AFWIC), who see a need for the dissemination of information and study materials on the gamut of problems and forms of fighting back of Third World. women, with an emphasis on Latin America. They will reproduce published and unpublished materials, together with an annotated catalogue organized by country and topic. They are asking for relevant articles, journal references, and unpublished material in Romance languages and English. They also ask for translators (English/Spanish), people to evaluate articles, funds and suggestions. Write to WIRE at the above address.
Women's occupational health resource center, American Health Foundation 320 East 43rd Street New York, N.Y. 10017 USA
"A unique organization which defines women's occupational health as a priority, providing needed networks of: communication, information, technical assistance coordination and materials". Services are directed to working women,management, professionals and government policy makers. Publishes a bimonthly Newsletter containing current information on women's occupational health, focusing on specific hazards; the Technical Bulletin which summarizes the most recent data on occupational health and provides in-depth articles on current research issues in the field; and Fact-sheets on specific risks such as workplace design, lifting, radiation, noise, and women's rights in the workplace. The Center also has a research library containing publications on every aspect of women's occupational health.
The Church Woman Church Women United 475 Riverside Drive New York, N.Y. 10027
Vol 45 No 3 of April/May 1979 is an excellent little issue concentrating on women and work with articles on women in construction trades, in strikes and unions, as homemakers, women in Korea, and a look at investments in multinationals and the way in which Church Women United have used their stockholdings to bring pressure on companies for fair labour practices. Bimonthly, US$4.00 per year, US$10.00 for 3 years (add US$1.00 outside North America).
Women and Appropriate Technology International Women's Tribune Center Inc. Newsletter No. 9 (April 1979) 305 East 46th Street, Sixth Floor - ' New York, N.Y. 10017, USA
This is the second edition of the IWI Center newsletter to focus on women and appropriate technology, concentrating on giving more background information, especially looking at women's roles in rural communities. Gives concrete examples of technologies for women, and some projects in different parts of the world, followed by a substantial, briefly annotated bibliography. An important, handy and readable publication on this subject. No price mentioned except for bulk orders: 25 for US$7.25, 50 for US$15.00, 100 for US$30.0
MEETINGS
Women Educators announces the Third Annual "Research on Women in Education" Award, to be presented at the American Educational Research Association meeting in Boston, April, 1980. Published or unpublished research reports in journal article format on any aspect of women in education are eligible if conducted or written up during 1978-79. The deadline for entries is January 10, 1980. Send three (3) copies including a short (200 word) abstract to:
Dr. Candace Schau, Coordinator-Elect Women Educators, Educational Foundations Department College of Education, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM. 87131, USA.
1980 Socialist Feminist Conference, to be held in Britain. The suggested structure is to have three sets of workshops and a plenary session. The workshops will be on: 1. women and reproduction — the organization of and the forms of the family, child rearing and reproduction, including discussions on immigration, class, lesbianism, role of the State and ideologies, sexual division of labour, and women's struggles around reproduction; 2. women and production — the economic crisis and how it affects women worldwide, including the restructuring of capitalism in Britain, the effects of imperialism on underdeveloped countries, repercussions for international capitalism of national revolutions; 3. women's liberation and anti-imperialist politics, including a reappraisal of the women's liberation movement and its strategies. For further information on date, place, etc. write to:
WIRES 32A Parliament Street
York, Yorkshire
England
UN International Women's Mid-Decade Conference Equality, Development and Peace
This conference will take place from 14-30 July 1980 in Copenhagen, Denmark at the "Bella Center". As usual with such UN world conferences, the participants will be governments, specialized agencies and organizations of the United Nations, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations. The latter are likely to be restricted and do not usually have more than "observer" status. The themes of the conference are Employment, Health and Education, and the purpose is to design a specific action oriented program for the next five years, after having taken stock of what has or has not been done since the Mexico conference in 1975.
Information on the conference and the Branch for the Advancement
of Women (those responsible ultimately for the conference) should be obtained from either theBranch for the Advancement of Women P.O. Box 500 A-1400 Vienna Austria
Alternative Women's Conference
There will also be an alternative women's conference for all those non-governmental organizations and women's and feminist groups not participating in the UN conference, or who question the aims and purposes of such a conference. It will take place at the same time as the UN conference, and plans are afoot to produce a conference newspaper. There are many women's groups involved in organizing this in Denmark, including raising money for participation of Third World women. For further information, write to:
Women and Development Committee Kobmagergade 67, 1, tv., DK-1150 K Copenhagen Denmark
NEW BOOKS
For Her Own Good
Barbara Ehrenreich and Deirdre English Published by Pluto Press (as above) 1979 Paperback £3.60, Hardback £8.60
For Her Own Good boldly reassesses 150 years of advice from the experts: gynecologists and child psychologists, sociologists and psychoanalysts (including Freud), home economists and paediatricians (including Spock). Barbara Ehrenreich and Deirdre English show how the experts usurped women's age-old skills and then set themselves up as the sole authorities on everything from work to love. The onslaught of advice that followed has always been justified as being for her own good — a service to women badly in need of guidance. In fact that "scientific" guidance has again and again contained arrogant and unscientific judgements about women's body, mind and nature — as this book reveals in thorough and wryly humorous detail". A strongly feminist history and analysis, this book offers a re-evaluation of the past and new perspectives on the future of the family, the cultural impact of science, and the meaning of 'liberation' in women's daily lives.
Half the Sky ed. The Bristol Women's Studies Group Published by Virago 5 Wardour Street London W1V SHE, England 1979 Paperback £3.95
The nine members of the Bristol Women's Studies Group have pooled their expertise to produce a collection of materials for teaching and practical suggestions for designing women's studies courses. Organized under topics - growing up female, education, bodies and minds, marriage, motherhood, work and creativity — the book introduces over two hundred extracts spanning more than three centuries of feminist thought and action.
My Song is My Own Kathy Henderson with Frankie Armstrong and Sandra Kerr Published by Pluto Press Unit 10 Spencer Court 7 Chalcot Road, London NW1 8LH England. 1979 Paperback £3.95, Hardback £8.95.
My Song is My Own is the first substantial collection of women's songs from Britain drawn from a rich repertoire stretching back five centuries. They are about courtship,
desire and sexual relationships; marriage; motherhood and childhood; and work - paid and unpaid. It reveals some of the hidden culture and history of women, but it is a collection of songs for singing, about the experience of women and men now too. (from information flyer).
One Foot on the Mountain ed. Lilian Mohin Published by Only women Press 38 Mount Pleasant London WC1, England 1979 Paperback £2.50
This is an extremely rich anthology of British Feminist poetry written from 1969-1979. We have seen no books which bring together such a wealth of good poetry - 55 feminist writers -, and so beautifully presented, with photographs and resumes of the authors. It is not possible within the scope of the resource section of this bulletin to write the review that this book merits, but we do urge readers to get a copy. Only women press is a feminist publishing house run by three women who believe it is necessary to create a women's communication system.