Call for Papers @ Centre for African studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University

Call for Papers

Women in the Indian Diaspora

10-11 January 2014, New Delhi

The patterns of migration and settlement among Indian women are as diverse as that of the overall Indian diaspora. They have shared space with men in most of the groups and streams of people moving beyond Indian borders. However, their experiences have largely been subsumed under homogenised perceptions and processes. In reality, the conditions propelling women's migration and their experiences during the process and settlement have always been different and very specific to them. Women have gone through extreme sufferings as indentured labourers, not only in the hands of colonial master s, but also by their own men. They negotiate with new cultures to create aspects of Indian cultural traditions in a foreign land as migrant wives, largely remaining shadow of their husbands. They risk the hostilities of a new environment, as semiskilled and skilled workers (for example, nurses from Kerala and students), in the effort to improve the conditions of their families back home or to enhance their own career prospects. And as highly skilled women professionals they often become the face of iconised 'global Indians' as they successfully balance the Indian home life and a global professional life.

It is widely perceived that women are the 'bearers of Indian tradition' and preserve it while migrating largely within the patriarchal framework. Nevertheless, the process of migration and economic independence, has given them an opportunity to assert independence, and redefine their roles and perceptions of self. Although a majority of the problems faced by women in the Indian Diaspora still arise out of patriarchy and gender discrimination, there are innumerable instances of their struggle and triumph over adversities and hostile situations.

The proposed conference aims to bring into focus a range of less discussed, newly emergent or already recognised issues related to women in the Indian diaspora on a common platform. The idea is not to project women as 'victims' by only highlighting their problems, but also to emphasise their agency in addressing and redressing the complex issues faced by them. The aim will be to bring forth a multidisciplinary approach, involving social, economic, cultural, and political issues, concerning women in the Indian Diaspora. Such an effort will privilege women's experiences and perspectives by raising consciousness and developing a deeper understanding about their issues among the academia and policy makers.

The conference is scheduled to be held on 10-11 January 2014, spread over six sessions. Papers  are invited from academics, researchers, field workers, activists as well as others involved with women in Indian Diaspora. The collection of papers will be reviewed by an international panel and published with the view of enriching policy making and further research.

Papers are invited on the themes given below though not confined to them

A tentative programme for the conference is listed below:-

Theoretical Perspectives on Women in Diaspora and Migration
Marriage Migrations and Issues of Women in the Diaspora
Women in the Diaspora: Skilled/Highly Skilled Professionals
Women in Diaspora: Issues of discrimination and Empowerment
Country Case Studies on the theme

Abstract of the proposed paper (up to 250 words) should be submitted by 30 November 2013 by email  [email protected] and
[email protected] by 30 November 2013. For more detailed information, please see visit  www.odi.in/announcement.