BRAMA, September 12, 2000, 2:00pm EDT

The Kennan Institute is pleased to announce a new series of research workshops on "The Role of Women in Post-Communist Transitions." After almost a decade of transition from Communism in the countries of the NIS, it has become apparent that policies aimed at democratization, economic liberalization, and social pluralism have differentially effected various segments of post-Soviet society. Across the region, women in particular have keenly felt the effects of the transition. Unemployment among women has increased as social services have declined, and participation in the political process has dropped off significantly. At the same time, women have been instrumental in the broadening of democracy and the market through civil society activism and small business development. This experience underscores the need for transition policies to take into account issues of gender to ensure a broad societal base for democratic reform.

The Kennan Institute's Workshop Series is designed to serve as a forum at which scholars from various disciplines and countries can discuss the implications of gender on the transition, share research findings, and suggest policy recommendations for future transition efforts. Participants in the series will be expected to present their own research at the first workshop, to be held in the Winter of 2000-2001. Further research on common themes is expected to form the basis for an edited volume arising from the series.

Selection for the workshop series will be based on an open competition. Junior scholars are especially encouraged to apply. Participation in the workshop series is open to scholars at any level with substantive research interests in issues of gender and transition in the Newly Independent States (NIS). Any area of social science or humanities research that focuses on issues of gender during the post-Communist transition is welcome. In particular, research focusing on poverty and social welfare; women's political participation; the "women's face" of post-communist civil society; gender-related violence and discrimination; the role of women in economic development; health and reproductive rights; and the development of gender programs and women's movements in the NIS are encouraged. Per diem costs and travel support for the workshops will be provided by the Kennan Institute.

Those interested should submit an abstract (less than 1000 words) of their current research, a current CV, and two letters of recommendation to: Women in Transition Workshop, The Kennan Institute/Woodrow Wilson Center, One Woodrow Wilson Plaza, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20004-3027. Abstracts and resumes may be sent by email to kiars@wwic.si.edu; recommendation letters must be sent by mail. All application materials must be in English and must be received by October 1, 2000.

The Role of Women in Post-Communist Transitions Workshop Series is supported by the Program for Research and Training on Eastern Europe and the Independent States of the Former Soviet Union (Title VIII) and the George F. Kennan Fund.

For further information please contact Nancy Popson at (202) 691-4100 or by email at popsonna@wwic.si.edu.

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