< Terug naar vorige pagina
Publicatie
Honour, Shame and Women's Capabilities
Boekbijdrage - Boekhoofdstuk Conferentiebijdrage
The concept of honour-related violence refers to a variety of violent practices, aimed to protect family honour and to purify violated honour. The central notions of 'honour' and 'shame', which prescribe gendered codes of conduct for men and women, are often linked to a vision on women as male property, disposing of no autonomy and functioning as the embodiment of 'male honour' and reputation. Literature on honour-related violence is indeed rife with descriptions of girls and women who are, in the name of family honour, forced to take on a traditional female role and to forsake their individual sexual freedom.
Based on empirical research among migrant women in Belgium and inspired by Martha Nussbaum's capability approach, this paper wants to explore how we can assess migrant women's choice and agency in their uses and interpretations of the notions of 'honour' and 'shame'. While at first glance, the honour/shame-complex seems indeed to imply a threat to women's capabilities, the women's narratives show a plurality of sometimes contradictory interpretations of 'honour'. The notions of 'honour' and 'shame' appear to be used by some women as guidelines within their own system of morality, which does impose restrictions on their sexual behaviour, but cannot straightforwardly be reduced to male coercion. The occurrence of violence appears then to be contingent on political and socio-economic factors rather than on the pre-eminence of the notion of 'honour'. It is suggested therefore that rather than taking cultural notions of 'honour' as sole focus, analyses of violence against migrant women should take into account the context wherein unequal gendered power relations and misogynist interpretations of culture are formed and sustained. This context should not only include migrant families, but also the state as actors which bear responsibility in enhancing or undermining women's capabilities.
Based on empirical research among migrant women in Belgium and inspired by Martha Nussbaum's capability approach, this paper wants to explore how we can assess migrant women's choice and agency in their uses and interpretations of the notions of 'honour' and 'shame'. While at first glance, the honour/shame-complex seems indeed to imply a threat to women's capabilities, the women's narratives show a plurality of sometimes contradictory interpretations of 'honour'. The notions of 'honour' and 'shame' appear to be used by some women as guidelines within their own system of morality, which does impose restrictions on their sexual behaviour, but cannot straightforwardly be reduced to male coercion. The occurrence of violence appears then to be contingent on political and socio-economic factors rather than on the pre-eminence of the notion of 'honour'. It is suggested therefore that rather than taking cultural notions of 'honour' as sole focus, analyses of violence against migrant women should take into account the context wherein unequal gendered power relations and misogynist interpretations of culture are formed and sustained. This context should not only include migrant families, but also the state as actors which bear responsibility in enhancing or undermining women's capabilities.
Boek: Unknown
Jaar van publicatie:2011
Trefwoorden:honour-related violence, sexual ethics, gender