Azeri Women in Transition - Women in Soviet and Post-Soviet Azerbaijan

This study of women and gender in a Muslim society draws on archival and literary sources as well as the life stories of women of different generations to offer a unique ethnographic and historical account of the lives of urban women in contemporary Azerbaijan. Focussing on a group of professional women in Baku, it provides insight into the impact of the Soviet system on the position of Azeri women, their conceptions of femininity and the significant changes brought about by the post-Soviet transition to a market economy and growing western influence. Also explored are the ways in which local cultural expectations and Islamic beliefs were accommodated to different modernisation projects.

List of contents

Introduction 1. Narratives of Self and Community in Transition 2. The Pre-Soviet Period and Social Geography of Baku 3. Early Azeri Modernisation: the Position of Women 4. The Soviet Revolution and Azeri Women 5. Religious Hearts and Atheist Minds 6. Professional Women's Coping Strategies: Home and the Workplace 7. Contradiction and Ambiguity: The Management of Femininities in Soviet Azerbaijan Conclusion

About the author

Farideh Heyat is an anthropologist and writer, currently based at SOAS, University of London.

Summary

This study of women and gender in a Muslim society draws on archival and literary sources as well as the life stories of women to offer a unique ethnographic and historical account of the lives of urban women in contemporary Azerbaijan.

Product details

• Authors: Heyat, Farideh Heyat, Nfa, Dr Farideh Heyat Nfa, Farideh Heyat Nfa
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 04.03.2015
• EAN: 9781138862685
• ISBN: 978-1-138-86268-5
• No. of pages: 240
• Series: Central Asia Research Forum
• Subjects: Non-fiction book > History > Miscellaneous; Social sciences, law, business > Ethnology > Folklore; Cultural Studies, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Women's Studies, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Islamic Studies, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Anthropology / Cultural & Social, Islamic Studies, Gender studies: women, Gender studies: women and girls, Relating to Islamic / Muslim people and groups, Social groups: religious groups and communities