Women at War: A Feminist Study of Militarism in Gayle Tzemach Lemmon’s Daughters of Kobani
Aesha Helan Saeed
Tikrit University/ College of Education for Women
Lamiaa Ahmed Rasheed
Tikrit University/ College of Education for Women
DOI: https://doi.org/10.25130/Lang.8.4.6
Keywords: Feminism and militarism, documentary novel, female fighters, Resilience, Daughters of Kobani
Abstract
The study of women in war spans ancient to modern times, highlighting their significant contributions as combatants, nurses, spies, resistance fighters, and home front workers. Their experiences challenge traditional gender norms and have led to lasting social and political changes. This study aims to examine the profound effects of war on women, using documentary novel to enhance our understanding of the role of women in war. By exploring the real stories of Kurdish women fighters in Syria, the study illuminates the multifaceted impact of war on women and their transformative roles in conflict and peace-building. Adopting a feminist perspective, the study explores Daughters of Kobani by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon (2021), focusing on the unique suffering experienced by women in war.
References
Anderson, L. (2021). Review of the book The Daughters of
Kobani: A Story of Rebellion, Courage, and Justice, by G. T.
Lemmon. Foreign Affairs. Retrieved June 3, 2023, from
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/reviews/capsule-review/2021-12-
Benedict, H. (2009). The Lonely Soldier: The Private War of Women
Serving in Iraq. Beacon Press.
Burke, C. (1998). Women and militarism. Women’s International League for
Peace and Freedom.
http://www. wilpf. int.ch/publications/women militarism. Htm
Byerly, Carolyn M – Karen Ross, 2006. Women & media: A critical introduction. Malden,MA: Blackwell Publishing.
Dijkema, C. (2001). Why study Gender and Conflict Together. Irénées: A
Website of Resources for Peace.
Enloe, C. (2000). Maneuvers: The international politics of militarizing women's lives. Univ of California Press.
Flinchum, J. R. O. (2022). Book Review: Gayle Tzemach Lemmon’s The
Daughters of Kobani.
Hacker, B. (1981). Women and Military Institutions in Early Modern Europe: A Reconnaissance. Signs, 6(4), 643-671.
Ibrahim M. C. (2021, February 26). n.d) Reading in the novel "Girls of
Kobani" narrated the Kurdish situation in Syria (the first episode):
addicted to the site, Text translation: Geo-Strategic team.
Labott, E. (2021, February, 15). The Women Who Helped Topple the
Caliphate: 'The Daughters of Kobani'. Foreign Policy. Retrieved
from https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/02/15/daughters-of-kobani-
review-female-kurdish-fighters-isis/
Lemmon , G. T. (2021). The Daughters of Kobani: A Story of Rebellion,
Courage, and Justice. Penguin.
Prasch, A. M. (2015). Maternal bodies in militant protest: Leymah Gbowee
and the rhetorical agency of African motherhood. Women's Studies
in Communication, 38(2), 187-205.
Peterson, V. S., and Anne Sisson Runyan. 1999. Global Gender Issues:
Dilemmas in World Politics. Boulder, Colo.: Westview Press
Simkins, J. (2022, January 29). Coming to TV: 'Daughters of Kobani' & the
all-female militia that took on ISIS — and won. Military Times.
Retrieved from https://www.militarytimes.com/off-duty/military-
culture/2021/01/29/coming-to-tv-daughters-of-kobani-the-all-female-
militia-who-took-on-isis-and-won/
Smith, Patrick, "The Documentary Novel: An Introduction," Studies in the
Novel, vol. 45, no. 1, Spring 2013, pp. 1-19.
Skapoulli, E. (2004). Gender codes at odds and the linguistic construction of
a hybrid identity. Journal of Language, Identity, and Education, 3(4),
-260.
Sjoberg, L., & Via, S. (Eds.). (2010). Gender, War, and Militarism: Feminist
Perspectives. ABC-CLIO, LLC.
Thee, M. (1977). Militarism and militarization in contemporary international
relations. Bulletin of Peace Proposals, 8(4), 296-309.
