South Asian Immigrant Women Organize for Social Change in the Diaspora: A Comparative Study

Abstract

The paper uses a feminist theoretical perspective and methodology to explore the lived experience of South Asian immigrant women. It operationalizes empowerment in terms of community organization. It examines various organizational activities which unite and empower the women. The paper draws on qualitative comparative data from original research among women in Atlantic Canada (n=126), in British Columbia, Canada (100 women), in Australia (n=50) and in New Zealand (n=10). The field work, which was conducted in Atlantic Canada between 1988 and 1991 and the remainder between November 1993 and May 1995, involved one-to-one interviews and limited participant observation in the women's everyday activities.

The research has suggested that patriarchal relations of ruling in family, community and society, race, gender, class discrimination, and region of settlement, are major factors in South Asian women's lived experience of subordination, oppression and disempowerment. Nevertheless, a large number of community organizations provided services which gave them a self-conscious awareness of a new identity and a measure of control over their lives and resources. Women's advocacy organizations explicitly aimed to produce a gender-sensitive consciousness and to address discrimination and oppression. Such organizations contributed to empowerment by creating solidarity among the women and by proactively working for change in relations of ruling. Through collective advocacy and action, South Asian immigrant women's lived experience can be that of empowerment and justice in family, community and society.