[Discussion] CFP: the History of Sexual Violence in Conflict Zones. A workshop at The University of Iowa Center for Human Rights

[Sule Tarakcioglu]

From: "Serguei Alex. Oushakine" <sao15@columbia.edu>

Direct inquiries to: Elizabeth-Heineman@uiowa.edu

The University of Iowa Center for Human Rights (UICHR) invites proposals=20
for a
workshop on the History of Sexual Violence in Conflict Zones.

Although sexual violence in conflict zones (SVCZ) is as old as warfare, t=
he
international community has granted it serious attention only since the=20
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=20
the globe
from the ancient world to the late twentieth century, with a special=20
interest in
conflicts before the 1990s. The UICHR will host the workshop from April=20
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):

=B7 Functions of SVCZ, such as the capture of human property, deracinatio=
n,
enhancing military morale, demoralizing the enemy
=B7 The relationship between the organization of gender in civilian=20
society and
sexual violence in times of war
=B7 Consequences of SVCZ in postwar transitions (social, cultural, econom=
ic;
governmental and legal responses)
=B7 The relationship between state and military formation and SVCZ: stron=
g and
weak states, the modernizing army, etc.
=B7 The relationship between SVCZ and war aims in varying types of confli=
cts:
religious warfare, colonial and post-colonial wars, genocidal war, civil=20
war,
etc.

We encourage a range of approaches and themes, such as gender and sexuali=
ty
studies, military sociology, health and medicine, refugee and migratory
movements, legal history, and more. The=AD conference organizers expect t=
o=20
publish
a selection of papers that will break new ground as the first wide-rangin=
g
exploration of SVCZ across time and space, yet rooted in close research.

Pending funding, the organizers will cover expenses and provide an=20
honorarium
for all workshop participants. Participants will be required to submit=20
completed
papers six weeks in advance of the workshop for duplication and circulati=
on.

Proposals are due September 1, 2005. Please submit a 250-word proposal an=
d a
2-page CV electronically to uichr@uiowa.edu (with subject heading: Call f=
or
Papers) or mail to:
The University of Iowa Center for Human Rights
300 Communications Center
The University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA 52242
ATTN: Kenneth Cmiel / Elizabeth Heineman

For full information see:  http://www.uiowa.edu/~uichr/events/SVCZ/cfp.ht=
ml
Direct inquiries to: Elizabeth-Heineman@uiowa.edu