Gender and Nationalism in Serbia: The impact of political ideology on women's human rights

Table of Contents

Introduction

1. Theoretical Framework

1.1 Politics of Identity

1.1.1 Community

1.1.2 Identity, Nation and Ethnicity

1.2 Gender and Nationalism

2. The Situation of Women in the Former Yugoslavia- How Socialist Ideology Affected Women's Rights

2.1 The Political Ideology of Socialism and Women

2.2 Reproductive Rights of Women

2.3 Labour rights

3. Nationalist Ideology in Serbia and How it Affected Women's Rights

3.1 The Political Ideology of Nationalism and Women

3.2 Reproductive Rights

3.2.1 Politics and Policies

3.2.2. Enjoyment of Women's Reproductive Rights

3.3 Labour Rights

3.3.1 Politics and Policies

3.3.2 Enjoyment of women's labour rights

Conclusion

Bibliography

Research Objectives and Themes

This master's thesis examines the complex relationship between gender, identity politics, and nationalism in Serbia, specifically focusing on how these intersecting forces have influenced the human rights of women regarding reproductive choices and labor market participation during and after the dissolution of Yugoslavia.

• The intersection of nationalist ideology and prescribed gender roles.
• The historical transformation of women's status from socialist Yugoslavia to the post-conflict nationalist era.
• An analysis of legislative frameworks and policies governing reproductive health and employment rights.
• The impact of re-traditionalization and economic crises on the marginalization of women.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

Introduction: Outlines the research connection between gender and nation, establishing the constructivist approach to analyzing women's human rights within Serbian nationalist discourse.

1. Theoretical Framework: Introduces core concepts of identity, community, and the interplay between nation and gender as social constructs instrumentalized by political elites.

2. The Situation of Women in the Former Yugoslavia- How Socialist Ideology Affected Women's Rights: Analyzes the socialist era, noting that while legal rights like abortion and labor participation were granted, patriarchal structures remained deeply embedded.

3. Nationalist Ideology in Serbia and How it Affected Women's Rights: Investigates the post-socialist era, detailing how nationalist rhetoric and re-traditionalization negatively impacted women's reproductive autonomy and labor market inclusion.

Keywords

Gender, Nationalism, Serbia, Politics of Identity, Reproductive Rights, Labour Rights, Yugoslavia, Socialism, Patriarchy, Ethnocracy, Social Construct, Human Rights, Marginalization, Re-traditionalization, Political Ideology.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary focus of this thesis?

The work investigates the intersection of gender and nationalism in Serbia, exploring how identity politics and nationalist ideologies have constrained women's human rights, particularly in reproduction and employment.

What are the central themes of the research?

The core themes include the social construction of gender, the instrumentalization of women's bodies for demographic goals, the legacy of socialist gender policies, and the impact of nationalist re-traditionalization on women's societal roles.

What is the primary research goal?

The goal is to determine if a direct connection exists between the politics of identity, upheld by nationalist leaders, and the construction of policies that interfere with women's enjoyment of specific human rights.

Which scientific methodology is utilized?

The thesis employs a constructivist approach to nationalism and gender, utilizing a historical perspective to analyze political ideology and legislation across two distinct periods of Serbian political change.

What topics are covered in the main body of the work?

The main sections cover the theoretical grounding of community and identity, a comparative analysis of women's rights under socialist versus nationalist regimes, and a detailed look at abortion laws and labor market statistics.

Which terms best characterize this work?

The work is characterized by terms such as politics of identity, reproductive rights, labour rights, re-traditionalization, and patriarchal state structures.

How does the author define the 'white plague' phenomenon mentioned in the thesis?

The author describes the 'white plague' as a concept used by nationalist figures to blame women for declining birth rates, framing it as a threat to the nation that justifies state control over women's reproductive choices.

How did the 1995 Abortion Law in Serbia affect women's rights?

The 1995 law represented a significant decline in reproductive rights, as it restricted legal abortion to the first ten weeks of pregnancy and required commission approval for later procedures, effectively sidelining personal social and economic reasons.