[Discussion] History of Sexual Violence in Conflict Zones

[Sule Tarakcioglu]

History of Sexual Violence in Conflict Zones
Location:	Iowa, United States

The University of Iowa Center for Human Rights (UICHR) invites proposals 
for a
workshop on the History of Sexual Violence in Conflict Zones.

Although sexual violence in conflict zones (SVCZ) is as old as warfare, the
international community has granted it serious attention only since the 
1990s.
NGOs, activists, academics, medical professionals, and lawyers now devote
considerable attention to sexual violence in contemporary conflicts. This
workshop will explore the role of sexual violence in conflicts around 
the globe
from the ancient world to the late twentieth century, with a special 
interest in
conflicts before the 1990s. The UICHR will host the workshop from April 
27-29,
2006.

While we anticipate that most papers will explore case studies, we 
especially
welcome papers that also address theoretical and potentially comparative
questions such as (but not limited to):

     * Functions of SVCZ, such as the capture of human property, 
deracination,
enhancing military morale, demoralizing the enemy
     * The relationship between the organization of gender in civilian 
society
and sexual violence in times of war
     * Consequences of SVCZ in postwar transitions (social, cultural, 
economic;
governmental and legal responses)
     * The relationship between state and military formation and SVCZ: 
strong and
weak states, the modernizing army, etc.
     * The relationship between SVCZ and war aims in varying types of 
conflicts:
religious warfare, colonial and post-colonial wars, genocidal war, civil 
war,
etc.

We encourage a range of approaches and themes, such as gender and sexuality
studies, military sociology, health and medicine, refugee and migratory
movements, legal history, and more. The¬ conference organizers expect to 
publish
a selection of papers that will break new ground as the first wide-ranging
exploration of SVCZ across time and space, yet rooted in close research.

Pending funding, the organizers will cover expenses and provide an 
honorarium
for all workshop participants. Participants will be required to submit 
completed
papers six weeks in advance of the workshop for duplication and circulation.

Proposals are due September 1, 2005. Please submit a 250-word proposal and a
2-page CV electronically to uichr@uiowa.edu (with subject heading: Call for
Papers) or mail to the mailing address provided below.

For full information see:
http://www.uiowa.edu/~uichr/events/SVCZ/cfp.html
Direct inquiries to the following e-mail address.

The University of Iowa Center for Human Rights
300 Communications Center
The University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA 52242
ATTN: Kenneth Cmiel / Elizabeth Heineman
Email: elizabeth-heineman@uiowa.edu

Visit the website at http://www.uiowa.edu/~uichr/