Nationalism, patriarchy and war in ex-Yugoslavia

This article, written while war is waging in the former Yugoslavia, attempts an explanation of the atrocities that have been committed. It is suggested that a media-war propaganda has developed between each specific grouping or 'Nation' with the aim of provoking hostilities. In particular, various nationalist ideologies promote an aggressive and violent masculinity whose barbaric behaviour is justified in the name of each Nation's cause. When human rights are annihilated in this way, women's rights are deleted and women are reduced to being seen as wives and mothers who will breed and rear future defenders of the Nation. The absence of women from political decision-making processes is also explored and three main explanations put forward for this. Overall, it is suggested that under the conditions of war, a clearly defined gender order has developed were men are mainly located in the battlefield and women in the home.