Thursday, 7 January 2010

3.00 pm – 5.30 pm

Imagination Room, Level 5

National Library Building

100 Victoria Street

Speaker: Dr Mahani Musa, Lee Kong Chian Research Fellow

Join Dr Mahani Musa (Lee Kong Chian Research Fellow) as she discusses the history of women’s myriad facets of war ranging from warriors, fighters and spies to women as wives, daughters, lovers and war-victims. In Malaya and Singapore, the 1989 signing of the Hat Yai Peace Accord between the Malaysian government and the Malayan Communist Party which ended the 40-year guerilla war for the first time brought to the surface the story of women involvement in underground and guerilla activities since the 1930s. While some of these women saw their participation fighting against alien dominations and as a “form of rebellion against feudalistic, patriarchal oppression the experienced as young women,” others joined because of poverty, some followed their husbands, lovers or relatives without understanding the communist ideology and struggles. While war might break down gender boundaries especially during pressing time as men and women had to fight for survival and victory, in reality, women hood was never totally separated from female guerillas. Thus, illicit love affairs, unwanted pregnancy, the sadness of being detached from motherhood as they were not allowed to raise children in the camps, and missing on the “outside world” which led many attempts to escape, were among the issues that had appeared within camp life in the jungle. This proved that women had their own “space” in war history.

Due to limited seats, registration is required and can be made via http://golibrary.nlb.gov.sg and surf on to ‘Heritage’.

Visit http://golibrary.nlb.gov.sg for more programmes and exhibitions.