12:00pm
to
1:00pm |
|
The American Experience: stories of Somali Refugee women from the American Heartland
(Special Event)
After being torn apart from their families by war and having lived in the refugee camps for at least a decade, if not more, Somali women try to rebuild their lives in a new country with the resources and networks they have at their disposal. While exploring the major assimilation challenges faced by the Somali women, the roles of local organizations in the resettlement process, and the various coping strategies that they adopt, there are many difficulties they face in Kansas City. They are helped by a number of local organizations when they first come to this city, and they also have the support of their immediate family (if they have any) and the local Somali community. Despite that, they face hardships, which shape their lives, and this experience cannot be seen in a vacuum if one wishes to truly understand the challenges that they face after resettlement in a new country. To be able to understand the trials and tribulations of these people, it is necessary to be able to place a human face on these theories, and Dr. Shimantini Shome tries to do that by telling the stories of a few Somali women that she has met and spent time with for over three years. While these stories do not cover all possible situations that new Somali refugee women find themselves in, they should provide a sense of how different the lives and circumstances can be for these people, who somehow are perceived as a homogeneous entity with same stories and problems.
The WGD program has sponsored a discussion series for the past several years, giving students and professionals an opportunity to share their research and discuss issues of Women and Gender in International Development. Students, faculty, staff and members of the community are encouraged to attend the discussions and bring their ideas and questions. For the Spring 2014 discussion series schedule, see our WGD Discussion Series Events page.
Please share this information widely, and encourage others to attend. Brown bag lunches are permitted. We look forward to seeing you there.
More information...
|
(540) 231-4297