National Liberation and Women's Liberation
edited by Maria Mies and Rhoda Reddock
Institute of Social Studies
Badhuisweg 251
2597 JR The Hague
Netherlands.

This 149 page study reproduces the testimonies of struggle and of research experience which were given during the workshop sessions entitled Women's Struggle and Research, organized under the sponsorship of the programme 'Women and Development' at the Institute of Social Studies, The Hague, in June 1980.

Several participants in the seminar have participed in national liberation struggles in numerous Third World countries. Some of the main questions that had been highlighted in the introductory paper on 'National Liberation and Women's Liberation' can be summarized as: "do women, who are necessary for the success of any liberation struggle, also gain their own liberation during and after this struggle? Historical and contemporary evidence is to the contrary. After liberation, women often have to return to the old sexual division of labour, (...). The main question is therefore: What happens to women once national liberation has been won?"

In addition to some analytical studies on liberation struggles and women in Nicaragua, Yugoslavia, China, India, there are three personal experience reports in the national liberation struggle of Zimbabwe, Azania (South Africa) and Bangladesh. Also a good commented bibliography on this subject.

Price: Dfl. 10.— obtainable only from the Institute of Social Studies.

Fighting on Two Fronts: Women's Struggles and Research
edited by Maria Mies
Institute of Social Studies
Badhuisweg 251
2597 JR The Hague
Netherlands.

The focus for the grouping of the papers presented in this 177 page study is the problematic relationship between women's struggles and research and the search for alternative methods.

"This relationship between researchers and researched (women academics who do research on other women and those other women) is generally hierarchical, a structure which is not transformed immediately into an egalitarian and participatory one when women do research on women".

Among several conclusions and suggestions of the group discussions in the seminar entitled Women's Struggles and Research, in June 1980, The Hague, we can cite: "Research should be of use to the researched. This implies that the researchers should first find out what is likely to be useful, and this involves a process of discussion with the researched. But it also means that research results and findings should be taken back to the people. To do this, the results have to be written in simple language and published in a popular form."

Also a commented bibliography. Price: Dfl. 10.—. This book is obtainable only from the Institute of Social Studies.

Breast is Best: From Policy to Practice
GIFA                          INFACT
CP 157                       1701 University Ave, SE
1211 Geneva 19           Minneapolis MN 55414
SWITZERLAND           USA
SFr.10.                       US$5.

This comprehensive and up-to-date information and skills training pack on the infant feeding issue just published by the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) contains a unique blend of blackground information on the issue and practical suggestions on improving infant feeding practices. Particular attention is paid to providing ideas on how to implement, monitor, and enforce the WHO/UNICEF International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes. An excellent resource. Available in English, French and Spanish. Reduced rates available for bulk orders.

Weaving our Lives — Africa as seen by African Women A slide tape of tapestries by the women of Oodi, Botswana Participatory Research Group
29 Prince Arthur Avenue Toronto, Ontario Canada M5R 1B2.

"Since 1974 the women of Oodi, a small village in Botswana, Southern Africa, have been weaving tapestries that portray many aspects of their lives. Through 26 colourful tapestries in this slide tape the women describe: their history, their work in the fields and at home, the effects of their men leaving to work in the mines of South Africa, women's lives, their aspirations for their children, the problems and challenges of development, before and since Independence, and some of their traditional stories.

"Each tapestry is described by its weaver(s) to produce an authentic and uncommon perspective - Africa as seen by African women. These tapestries and commentaries capture some of their joys and hardships, their concerns and their strength.

"Lentswe la Oodi Weavers Ltd, is a worker-owned and controlled cooperative using part of its surplus to support other development projects in Oodi and neighbouring villages.

"This slide tape has been used in a rougher form since 1979 with more than 100 groups in Canada, USA, the Caribbean and Latin America. It has always been enthusiastically received both for its unique portrayal of Africa and as an example of popular education. A generous royalty is paid to the Oodi cooperative from each sale or rental."

The set contains a carousel tray with 42 slides, one cassette tape (26 minutes narration in English), one booklet with background on the Oodi cooperative, the script, suggestions for using the slide tape and information on the purchase of Oodi products, and six publicity posters. Price (Canadian $), purchase: Canada $90, Third World $80, elsewhere $100; rental (Canada and USA only) $25.