This public talk hosted by UCCGS, will examine how policymakers seek to increase women's military presence and how such an approach affects women's military experiences.
Using Taiwan as a case study, one of the most vulnerable states in the world due to China's threat to invade, Dr Shan-Jan Sarah Lui, University of Edinburgh, will discuss how interviews with 15 legislators and 43 soldiers reveal the unique challenges and opportunities that both the Taiwan government and Taiwanese women soldiers face.
The findings show that while policymakers have the intention to recruit women, little is done to include women concretely and systematically, or enhance their experiences in the military. Gender-based differential treatments still happen; the solution to gender inequality is often to separate men and women rather than truly integrating them. Simultaneously, women soldiers also perceive other women soldiers as taking advantage of their gender - being women - to advance their careers. Instead of building a universal sisterhood, there seems to be tension between women, depending on their choices to exercise their femininity or to act like men.
The talk will be held in Seminar Room S1, Alison Richard Building, on Thursday 14 May at 12.30 pm. All are welcome to attend.
