Nationalism, War, and Archaization of Gender Relations in the Balkans

Abstract

This article addresses why rape in ethnic conflict and war is common. Emphasis is placed on the context of abuse, which some argue remains undeveloped in general explanations of violence against women. The author focuses on the role that ethnic nationalism plays in repatriarchalizing society and gender relations. With the rise of nationalism and militarization, there are institutionalized attempts to revive patriarchal social forms and relations that place women at an increased risk of violence. The article focuses on the former Yugoslavia to show that with nationalism and militarization, the nexus of gender and ethnicity becomes significant and deadly.