This book provides up-to-date coverage of the policies, strategies, and effects of suicide in war, examining this subject from societal and military perspectives to shed light on the justifications for using human beings as expendable weapons. Suicide warfare has expanded over the years and become a global phenomenon. In some parts of the world, it has become rooted in the fabric of society. Westerners often find it difficult to grasp why someone would be willing to sacrifice their life in order to take the lives of others. Suicide Warfare: Culture, the Military, and the Individual as a Weapon provides a thorough examination of the topic that enables readers to understand the justification for suicide warfare and better appreciate how the ideology of the individuals and organizations that resort to suicide warfare greatly complicates security issues in the 21st century. The book covers the policies, strategies, and effects of suicide in war, examining suicide warfare in its entirety from a theoretical standpoint, and then applying those theories to the actual manifestations of and politico-military responses to suicide warfare. The author discusses specific organizations such as Al Qaeda and the Chechen rebels, analyzing each within its societal context, military justification, individual motivation, and outcomes, and addresses principles of sociological and conflict theory to place suicide warfare in a clearer conceptual framework. The book presents case studies that allow readers to better understand abstract theories and make distinctions between individual cases of suicide warfare. Includes primary documents and statistical data Provides resources for further study

This book provides an in-depth analysis of sexual assault in the military from historical and contemporary perspectives, offering suggestions that could change the existing culture and approaches that will reduce or eliminate sexual assault in the armed forces. Sexual assault has been an aspect of the U.S. military historically and is today widely recognized as a significant problem with far-reaching repercussions. How does sexual assault negatively impact not only the victims themselves but also the U.S. military's strength, readiness, and morale? This book answers these questions and documents the problems with reporting and prosecuting sexual assault complaints within our armed forces, examines the current policy and laws to identify what changes are needed, and analyzes recent efforts to prevent sexual assault. Author Rosemarie Skaine introduces the subject with a historical perspective that covers women, men, gays and lesbians, and non-military personnel as the subjects of sexual assault and provides readers with clear definitions of sexual harassment and sexual assault. The chapters explain how sexual assault negatively affects the military's performance as a whole, thereby serving to undermine national security; and covers preventative approaches and legislation intended to change the current military culture. The book also includes a bibliography, tables of key figures, and footnotes and endnotes that fully document the data presented. Provides fact-based analyses of one of the most pressing issues facing today's U.S. military that will aid informed policy guidance for policymakers in the military as well as those in higher education-another institution grappling with the challenges of eradicating sexual assault Written by a noted author on topics regarding issues surrounding women who serve in today's military Presents input from military contributors who add credibility and invaluable insight into the problem of sexual assault within the U.S. military

This handbook provides a straightforward account of how women have served in combat roles and explains the ongoing controversy surrounding efforts to legalize combat assignments for female service members. Women have been excluded from combat roles for most of American history. During conflicts such as the American Civil War, a few women enlisted as men; in some cases, their identities as women were not discovered until after their deaths. Today, the nontraditional battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan have no clearly defined front lines, and many female soldiers have found themselves face-to-face with the enemy. Yet despite the realities of modern warfare, the subject of women serving in combat roles remains highly controversial. Women in Combat: A Reference Handbook examines the historical background, current dilemmas, and global context of this contentious issue. The author explores both sides of the argument, presenting information from leading sources and gleaned from personal interviews. Statistical data, primary source documents, a directory of organizations, and print and electronic resources offer additional insight. Offers insights obtained from exclusive interviews with distinguished long-time female military officers, international scholars, and religious leaders Contains relevant materials such as the 1988 Risk Rule, Soldier's Creed, Department of Defense ground combat policy, and USC 6015 Includes biographical information on more than 25 women who have served or are serving in combat positions, as well as advocates and opponents of combat roles for women Presents a chronology of significant events related to women in the military from 1775 to 2010 Contains a bibliography of important materials to assist readers in further study of this controversial subject Provides a glossary defining key military acronyms and terms

This timely volume shows how abuse impacts every segment of society-and how society is seeking effective ways to respond. Abuse, a key theme of health education curricula, is also a major issue faced by many segments of society. Intended for high school students as well as undergraduates and the general reader, this comprehensive encyclopedia explores abuse in all its forms-physical, sexual, emotional, and verbal-among a variety of age and demographic groups from children to the elderly to the disabled. It sheds light on causes and symptoms of abuse, examines lasting impacts, and suggests avenues for prevention and treatment. Specific topics of concern to a secondary school audience include bullying and cyberbullying; abuse of those in same-sex relationships; and sexual abuse through rape, date rape, incest, and sexting. Elder abuse, which has become of greater concern as our society ages, is covered, as are domestic abuse, child abuse, and abduction. Through up-to-date entries by expert contributors, readers will learn about the causes and results of specific types of abuse, as well as their legal and sociological dimensions. The title will also serve as a gateway to further study-and as a resource for readers seeking help. Offers an introductory essay that places the subject in context and provides a framework within which to study and understand abuse Features entries from leading scholars who provide a contemporary approach to the issues Covers a wide range of types of abuse, individuals and organizations affected by abuse, and people working to reduce and eliminate abuse Includes summaries of laws that apply to various forms of abuse Provides a "topic finder" to assist readers in locating information relative to particular types of abuse

For the women of Afghanistan, some very remarkable milestones have been achieved since the overthrow of the oppressive Taliban rule in 2001. The gender order has gone through several dramatic changes in just a few short years, and those changes have brought a wealth of new opportunities and roles for women living and working in Afghanistan. Whereas Afghan women had been largely confined to their homes and condemned from actively participating in society under the Taliban, these women are now re-entering the workforce, newly employed in education, government, private businesses, or even working their own farm land alongside their husbands.This book examines the roles of women in Afghanistan as they live within a greater context of change and tradition. It describes and analyzes the success of women in these new occupational and educational opportunities, evaluating how such success has come about in a nation that still struggles to overcome years of poverty, corruption, regional power struggles, and the overwhelming destruction of war.The book also focuses on the unique health challenges faced by women and families living in Afghanistan, focusing on recent developments in maternal and reproductive health care, the lingering problems associated with chronic or transient food shortages, and the improved availability of local emergency services and basic health care. One chapter addresses gender-focused international aid in Afghanistan through individual profiles of several Afghan women, couples, and families. This chapter also provides profiles of several female Afghan leaders, including Bamiyan governor Habiba Sarabi, the Ministry of Women's Affairs' Hussn Banu Ghazanfar, and Ambassadors Zahida Ansary and Maliha Zulfacar. Finally, the work evaluates the impact that the 2005 resurgence of the Taliban has had on women and girls in several parts of Afghanistan.

This work explores how relationships of blood, marriage, sex, and residence work in each type of Cuban family, particularly as it is affected by Cuba's struggle to transform its economy. It also examines historical perspectives on the contemporary Cuban family, ethnicity and race, marriage, the extended family, family rights, the emigrating family, United States' citizenship issues, religion, and the Cuban-American family. Exhaustive tables list such details as population numbers, age, life expectancy, growth, birth, and death rates, immigration and mortality rates, HIV rates, and literacy. The book also includes narratives of childhood memories from pre-revolutionary Cuba to the late 20th century, providing fresh insights into the cultural value attached to the family.

Tall, powerful athletes surge toward the goal in the last seconds of a fiercely fought game, providing excitement to an arena full of basketball fans. Increasingly, challenging games like this are being played by women's college teams. With the passage of Title IX and the success of the WNBA (Women's National Basketball League), women's college teams have received more support and attention both from academic institutions and basketball fans. One of the primary reasons for the growing interest in women's college basketball is the dedication of the women who coach these student athletes to personal and athletic success. Women currently coach nearly 65 percent of the womens basketball teams in all divisions of the NCAA. Their commitment to their sport and to their athletes has resulted in a game and a generation of athletes unlike any other. This analysis of the role of women coaches in college basketball provides a detailed history of women's involvement in college sports, as well as insights into the work of the great women coaches of the past and present, all highlighted through interviews with some of the most important women coaches of today.

In Africa, women leaders have a strong legacy. Female pharaohs ruled ancient Egypt, queens and queen mothers have reigned throughout contemporary Africa, and women across the continent have led modern liberation movements. This book's wide-ranging examination of African women leaders focuses especially on women in elected or appointed national government positions. The author provides an extensive analysis of the progress made by women leaders in each individual country, as well as an overall analysis of the historical role of women in African governments. In addition, the book offers in-depth profiles of eleven women in high office, including current Liberian president Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and Mozambique prime minister Luisa Diogo. The appendix shows the current number of women in national parliaments worldwide.

Female genital mutilation (FGM) occurs in many parts of the world, especially in Africa. It is a cultural practice thought to have been established centuries ago, though its origins appear to have been lost in the past. International efforts to eliminate it also have a long history. As early as the 17th century, Christian missionaries and colonial administrations in Africa attempted to prevent the practice. Today, efforts to eradicate FGM are under way within and outside of practicing cultures. This book discusses the definition and types of FGM and explores the common justifications for the practice, along with the incidence in Africa, global laws, legal issues, rights and religion. Ethical considerations are examined, as are progress and the role of culture. Personal interviews help to expand and enrich the discussion. The book concludes with thoughts on the movement from tradition to cultural evolution.

Even though the people of Afghanistan have in general suffered under the rule of the Taliban, women have lived especially difficult lives, enduring terrible hardships. They have been denied basic human rights, forced to wear veils and kept in seclusion.

This work addresses the religion, revolution, and national identity of Afghan women and places them within their gender-political and religious-political roles, thus elevating our understanding of their abuse, imprisonment and murder, and offering a basis for their rehabilitation. Powerful and moving interviews with Afghan women conducted and translated by the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan are presented and a brief history of the struggle of the Afghan women and an overview of the conflict between the Afghans and the Taliban are included.