Working Women: Stories Of Strife, Struggle And Survival
Edited by Kogi Naidoo and Fay Patel; Sage Publications;
Pages: 245; Price: Rs 495 Buy Borrow Avoid
With women sitting at the helms of countries and changing the world; with women running global organisations and men dutifully following strategies formulated by them; with political, social and work spaces diffusing and increasingly becoming indistinct between men and women, it is sometimes difficult to focus on past and present struggles that working women go through globally in today’s context. Especially by those, who have experienced empowerment and equality!
A commendable effort by Kogi Naidoo and Fay Patel to give a platform to women from diverse fields — from women as cleaners to women in policy making — to take the ‘feminist’ debate to corporate houses, academics, the social and political stage.
The book is a collection of stories, recollections and viewpoints that become a single tale of women breaking free, surging ahead, fighting all odds, making themselves heard and rising above their lot. Each chapter comes across as a different experience — be it Heidi Kaminski’s courage in making good of her children in adversity; Kay Sexton’s desperation combined with cunning mastery; Millicent Daweti working and surpassing in a male dominated world; Jane and Diane Saarinen making it in spite of their disabilities; Lynn Hunt’s having to pass at a higher level than a boy for selection to an academically elite grammar school; or, Thenjiwe Magwaza’s criticism of the US concept of balancing work and life. Whether these participants were from America, South America, South Africa, India or New Zealand, the plight of women seems to be united as one.
Yet, is Working Women a book on feminism? I wouldn’t say so. Just as a collection of stories about men and their troubles would be any more or less masculine! It is a book that brings to light some genuine and some not so genuine issues faced by an important segment of our civilization – the woman who is today a mother, wife, daughter, professional – all rolled into one and facing the challenges of today’s ever-evolving world scenario, just like any other segment of our society. Issues that concern all of us and need to be resolved if the world has to be a fit and harmonious place to live in!
Magwaza’s issue is not just about ‘being able to balance work and family life’; it is also about black men and women in the workplace. The issue is not feminism when Hunt points out, “gender does not explain all aspects of my career trajectory, class influenced as well.” So is the case of the concerns faced by the immigrants trying to find their feet in a new culture in New Zealand. It is not only women who are discriminated against as HIV/AIDS patients. And the victims of bullying in the work place are not only women by men. Agreed that the intensity of these injustices may vary and men may find it easier to combat and overcome these situations, but then, haven’t they the advantage of a head start?
Despite the fact that Working Women portrays a number of successful case studies, the central theme running through is one of despair. The sub-title could have been more aptly re-phrased to ‘Stories of Strife, Struggle and Success’ and not just ‘Survival’.
Women have moved far beyond just ‘survival’. In Anniekie Ravhudzulo’s words — “South Africa has among the largest percentage of women parliamentarians in the world (30%).” Ravhudzulo also asks for more women representatives in leadership in churches or religion. Which brings us to suitability of roles, a subject that Patel herself has touched upon! Should women then be demanding equality everywhere, or should they be demanding to be where they should be, to make a difference, to make the world a better place and seek their own fulfillment?
In her concluding chapter, Patel eulogises over how women have been successful advocates of change over civilizations; how they have been ‘mothers of nations imparting knowledge and transmitting cultural norms and values to future generations.” The work place is a sector they still need to make their mark upon. And it is an acknowledged fact that “women are more effective managers, they bring balance.”
Shelda Debowski, an academician herself, in her chapter on Pencilled in at the Margins, begins wisely with ‘higher education needs more women in leadership roles.’ Work places too need more women in leadership roles. It is up to these leaders, and men who believe in empowerment and equality of women, to ensure relevant education of these issues at grass root levels and inclusion of policies that will make a difference. Mindsets will follow!
Working Women is a must for all corporate houses that claim or do not yet claim to have broken gender biases. The book is a good base for them to take tips on how to be more sensitive to women’s roles and to take steps to sensitize their employees to these issues. Maybe it could be a good catalyst for a corporate house to think seriously about adopting ‘Empowerment of Women’ as a social cause rather than just paying lip service to the issue. Working Women could also be included as course material in higher education in Social Studies.
The book is light reading and heavily academic in phases. Though an excellent product in terms of writing style and command of the English language, editing has left much to be desired — spelling and typographical errors needed to be better looked at.
A version of this review was published in the Businessworld Issue Dated 19-25 May 2009
Book Reviews 
Working Women: Stories Of Strife, Struggle And Survival
