By Mirra B. Price (pdf file, 18 pages plus extensive references)
With great documentation, the author shows the terrible impact that global capitalism is having on women. Often with less access to financial capital, women are among the most susceptible casualties of the current global economic crisis. Institutionalized sexism and gender oppression are intertwined within the current power structure and woven tightly into the fabric of society. In fact, the systemic violence that keeps this unequal power structure in place is often so hidden that, especially in Western countries, it may go virtually unnoticed.
In the second part, the author shows how in a true economic democracy, women will become empowered and will have more of a key role as significant participants. Three key initiatives—economic, educational and social empowerment for women—must be undertaken in order to assure that women are equal stakeholders in the establishment of a new economic system.
Contents
Part I
- Exploitation of Women by Capitalism
- Body Image, Beauty at Any Cost
- Underlying Stereotypes
- Lack of Positive Female Role Models in the Media
- The Princess Culture
- Psychological Exploitation
- Educational Discrimination
- Socialization as the Weaker Sex
- Economic Exploitation— Gender Wage Gap
- Hitting the Glass Ceiling
- The Man-cession and the He-covery
- Workplace Exploitation and Sexual Harassment
- Domestic Violence, Rape and Sexual Assault
- Pornography
- Breaking Free from Violence and Discrimination
Part 2: Economic Democracy and Women: An Inclusive Approach
- Everyone must be guaranteed the minimum requirements of life.
- Everyone’s quality of life will gradually be enhanced in a local economy
- Increasing Standard of Living by Increasing Purchasing Capacity
- Local people make the economic decisions that directly affect their lives.
- Economic Model Based on Cooperatives
- Prevent outside control of local economies.
- Economic Empowerment: Examples of Women-owned Local Businesses
- Educational Empowerment: Equal Access to Education
- Social Empowerment: Consciousness Raising
