Abstract

Drawn from various disciplines and a broad spectrum of research interests, these essays reflect on the challenging issues confronting women in Ukraine today. The contributors are an interdisciplinary, transnational group of scholars from gender studies, feminist theory, history, anthropology, sociology, women’s studies, and literature. Among the issues they address are: the impact of migration, education, early socialization of gender roles, the role of the media in perpetuating and shaping negative stereotypes, the gendered nature of language, women and the media, literature by women, and local appropriation of gender and feminist theory. Each author offers a fresh and unique perspective on the current process of survival strategies and postcommunist identity reconstruction among Ukrainian women in their current climate of patriarchalism.

Marian J. Rubchak is a Senior Research Professor of History at Valparaiso University whose work focuses on reimagining Slavic identities in various contexts. She has written on the role of myth in shaping the identity of contemporary Ukrainian women, and the difficulties that they face in exerting agency in a transitional society with prejudices against women.

“Notably the authors resist the temptation to proclaim varied strategies proof of an actually existing feminism, offering instead a multi-voiced and rich narrative of the transformation of women’s position in post-Soviet Ukraine.”  ·  Social Analysis

“With [this volume] Marian J. Rubchak has begun filling a long-standing void in the post-Soviet gender literature with a diverse collection dedicated solely to the understanding of women’s positions in Ukraine. Rubchak was one of the earliest Western observers of women’s issues in Ukraine and…among the first to gauge its feminist potential. Her edited volume also recognizes the significance of the sustained transnational and cross-cultural conversations between women scholars and activists that have ensued…[It] succeeds in discerning a feminist concern that stems from the contradictions inherent in women’s efforts to support Ukrainian nation building while simultaneously striving to promote women’s true equality.”  ·  Journal of Ukrainian Studies

“What makes the volume stand out is its rich offer of original empirical material and first-hand accounts. The fact that the authors are women with different cultural and academic heritage makes the volume an exciting example of ‘East-West’ dialogue on the meaning of gender and womanhood…this volume has a lot to offer to all those studying contemporary Ukraine from different disciplinary angles.”  ·  Slavonica

“…[A]n impressive and multifaceted assessment of the monumental changes that have occurred for women in Ukraine since independence from the Soviet Union. The articles are all of considerable interest and topical, and mesh well together as a unified whole into a comprehensive and fine collection.”  ·  Michael M. Naydan, The Pennsylvania State University

"A bold attempt to engage gender studies in constructing a narrative about modern Ukraine. . . . This is Ukraine as it has never been seen before."  ·  Ewa M. Thompson, Rice University

“…a unique and unprecedented effort to bring together the views of Ukrainian and North American scholars on issues relating to gender and gender politics in Ukraine today.”  ·  from the Foreword