Julie Hemment's engrossing study traces the development encounter through interactions between international foundations and Russian women's groups during a decade of national collapse. Prohibited from organizing independently under state socialism, women's groups became a focus of attention in the mid-1990s for foundations eager to promote participatory democracy, but the version of civil society that has emerged (the "third sector") is far from what Russian activists envisioned and what donor agencies promised. Drawing on ethnographic methods and Participatory Action Research, Hemment tells the story of her introduction to and growing collaboration with members of the group Zhenskii Svet (Women's Light) in the provincial city of Tver'.

First-hand account of social activism and the politics of development in postsocialist Russia

About the Author

Julie Hemment is Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Reviews

. . . What is clear is that the decidedly global, critical, self-reflexive and praxis-oriented model that Hemment offers here is made for such complex and dynamic interventions, and finally provides an avenue for anthropologists to handle them with the precision, attention and care they deserve.

* Anthropological Quarterly *

[W]ritten in a clear, accessible, and very engaging way, making it suitable for anyone within the development sector with an interest in gender issues in Russia and the former Soviet Union, or an interest in processes of democratisation . . .

* Gender & Development *

This is unquestionably an important book in our efforts to understand women in Russia and the evolution of post-Soviet Russian society. . . . It can be recommended to students and scholars of Russia as well as those specializing in women's issues. Vol. 44, No. 4

* Journal of Contemporary History *

Despite the critiques of the NGO world and the collapse of the women's crisis centre,Hemment's collaborative research had fruitful results as many women felt empowered and benefited . . . .34.2 March-April 2011

* Women's Studies Intnl Form *

. . . This thoughtful, intriguing analysis of a complex situation will be of interest to scholars in Russian studies, anthropology, women's studies, economics, and development studies. . . . Highly recommended.

* Choice *



Book Information
ISBN 9780253218919
Author Julie Hemment
Format Paperback
Page Count 208
Imprint Indiana University Press
Publisher Indiana University Press