In the following paper I wish to investigate the status of women and their socio-economic conditions during the second civil war. As it was common during that period of time, the war was transferred to the womb of women, and sectarian conflicts during that time and even later usually involved “mudding” the blood of future generations of one sect. Therefore, I wish to examine whether this was the case in Lebanon. In order to do so, I will divide my paper into five sections. The first section of the paper will discuss the socio-economic background of the working class families of different sects in Lebanon. The second section of the paper will investigate the other means that were used during the war to weaken the Other, i.e. the focus will be directed at unarmed forms of violence. The third part of the paper will discuss the effects of the war, and more specifically it will focus on how women perceived, experienced, and the extent to which they were affected by the war. The fourth section will attempt to draw a comparative analysis in which the situation of women in Syria, Lebanon and Palestine, have been affected similarly during different conflicts at different locations and periods. The last part of the paper will attempt to draw some conclusions about the eruption of the war and whether its consequences still cause distress to Lebanese women today.
Table of Contents
I. INTRODUCTION
II. The Socio-Economic Status of Families
III. Institutionalized Patriarchy in Disguise?
IV. Rape as a weapon
V. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Topics
This paper investigates the status of women and their socio-economic conditions during the Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990), examining whether conflict was used as a tool to reinforce patriarchal structures and sectarian divisions. The research explores the intersection of gender oppression and class inequality through a Marxist feminist framework.
- Socio-economic background of working-class families in Lebanon.
- Non-armed forms of violence and the institutionalization of patriarchy.
- The utilization of rape as a strategic weapon of war and its psychological impact.
- Comparative analysis of women's experiences during regional conflicts.
Excerpt from the Book
Rape as a weapon
Rape has been used in modern wars as the non-murderous type of aggressive behavior and to a large extent even a weapon of psychological, physical, and even social hostile action, intended to punish the “other”. It is a mechanism and tactic that could be used to instigate terror in the minds of the population or the enemy. This tactic however could be counterproductive in the sense that it does more harm than good; honor killing and honor aggression is of highest significance in the rather conservative Arab region, henceforward it rather leads to an aggrecation of the hostilities by both parties than creating a rule of terror.
Linda Khatib divides the types of rapes into two categories. She states that during the civil war rape it was rather counterproductive for military personal to engage in the act of rape, seeing that it shifts and distracts the focus of combats, making it a rather dangerous mechanism to use. Rape, although effective if the objective is to establish a rule of terror, could lead to a sympathetic attitude in the hearts and minds of some soldires, therewith break down the image of the enemy and humanizing the other. This is for militaries a serious harm.
The other category that Khatib identifies is focused of acts of rape in civil wars. She states that while “other types of violence are typically committed in escalating cycles in which fighters mimic the brutality of their foes, rape is only occasionally perpetrated by both sides of a civil conflict”.
Summary of Chapters
I. INTRODUCTION: The introduction establishes the historical context of the Lebanese Civil War and defines the research scope, focusing on the silences surrounding women’s experiences during the conflict.
II. The Socio-Economic Status of Families: This chapter analyzes the Lebanese economy during the pre-war period, highlighting how economic prosperity and a laissez-faire system masked underlying sectarian disparities.
III. Institutionalized Patriarchy in Disguise?: This section critiques the legal and social status of Lebanese women, arguing that apparent gender equality is a façade covering deep-seated patriarchal legislative and political structures.
IV. Rape as a weapon: This chapter examines the strategic use of sexual violence during the civil war, exploring its function as a tool for terror and a method for building cohesion within combatant groups.
V. Conclusion: The conclusion synthesizes the findings, asserting that the war was a conflict raged against humanity where women were disproportionately targeted to instigate terror and maintain sectarian power.
Keywords
Lebanon, Civil War, Gender Dynamics, Marxist Feminism, Violence Against Women, Patriarchy, Sectarianism, Socio-Economic Status, Rape as a Weapon, Political Participation, Human Rights, Marginalization, Combatant Groups, Social Construction, War Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper examines the socio-economic conditions and the status of women during the Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990) through a critical Marxist feminist lens.
What are the central themes of the work?
The central themes include the intersection of class and gender, the systemic marginalization of women in political and private spheres, and the strategic use of violence during conflict.
What is the primary research question?
The author asks whether women were subjected to violence to such an extent that they could not resume a normal lifestyle during and after the civil war.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The research uses a Marxist feminist framework to perform a critical analysis of historical and material conditions, moving away from purely liberal or radical feminist interpretations.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body covers pre-war socio-economic disparities, the institutionalization of sectarianism, the paradox of women's "legal rights" versus social reality, and the use of rape as a military tactic.
Which keywords characterize this paper?
Key terms include Lebanon, Civil War, Gender Dynamics, Marxist Feminism, Violence Against Women, and Sectarianism.
How does the author define the role of "rape as a weapon" in this context?
The author argues that beyond its role in terrorizing populations, rape serves as a socialization process to facilitate bonding between new members of combatant groups.
What conclusion does the author reach regarding the Lebanese constitution?
The author concludes that the constitution's elasticity and lack of explicit prohibitions against gender-based discrimination create an environment of institutionalized patriarchy.
- Citation du texte
- Reham ElMorally (Auteur), 2016, Gender Dynamics during and after the Lebanese Civil War, 1975-1990. A Marxist Feminist Perspective, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/366364
