ON SEPTEMBER, 1995, Tibetan nationalism and international front of a global audience when nine exiled. Tibetan women staged a demonstration at the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women in Beiljing. From the Tibetan perspective, the women had created history by becoming the first Tibetans ever to hold a protest on Chinese soil.
This book traces the history of organized political resistance by Tibetan women over the 40-year period leading up to the Beijing Conference. It describes and analyses the development of the Tibetan Women's Association, the mass women's organization of the Tibetan exile community, and in particular the impact of feminism on it. It looks at the overlaps and tensions between nationalism and feminism, and examines how both can be constructed in exile. In doing so, the book raises questions of belonging and representation, of change and permanence, of political expediency and idealism. Overall, it provides a unique insight into the nature of Tibetan nationalism and its interaction with international forces and movements.
Feminism, Nationalism and Exiled Tibetan Women, Alex Butler, Zubaan Books, Hardcover, 242 pages, $17.00
Alex Butler has a long and dedicated history of supporting the people of Tibet�s struggle for meaningful autonomy. In recognition of her amazing efforts, earlier this year at our annual general meeting, Alex was given the �Damien Lovelock Award for meritorious service�. Alex answered a few questions for us, offering a window into her journey with the Tibetan cause.
Acknowledgements vii 1 Introduction 1 2 Historical and Symbolic Origins 33 3 TWA'S Membership 58 4 Leadership 83 5 TWA in the Exile Community, 1985-1992 116 6 TWA in the World, 1991-1995 148 7 TWA's New World in Exile 188 Appendix 233 References 234
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