Intro

We are researching gender, patriarchy and social hierarchies within the anti-authoritarian and anti-capitalist movement because of the widespread experiences of problems in social interactions between men and women both inside the movement and in wider society.

We would like to know how various groups and individuals are struggling in their local contexts about patriarchy.

We hope this questionnaire will help to start debates within the movement and practical projects to address gender issues.

This is part of the preparation process for the next european pga conference in belgrade (23rd to 29th of july 2004).

The gender working group for the pga conference would like to use this informations to compile a report summarising the results and giving examples of people's experiences.

The questionnaire is anonymous and any contributions used as examples within the report will not be linked with specific groups or locations.

Please spread the questionnaire widely. We also invite you to send us any texts concerning gender issues which have inspired you.

You can answer this questionnaire in your own language if you find this easier. Please feel that you don't have to answer all the questions.

Answers to : breakingthesilence at gendertrouble.org

We also invite you to send your answers to question 9 (about women only and men only spaces) directly to the process list, as the proposal to have such spaces during the conference was blocked at the October preparatory meeting and this may help everybody to work through this block.

We've defined what we mean by some of the terms used in the questionnaire :

Gender:

We understand gender to be the norms, social and cultural organisation based on sexual differences in our societies. We consider that the gender organisation of our society doesn't find its origin in natural differences of behaviour between men and women but should be analysed as social, economical and cultural constructions that create social status hierarchies and are not fixed.

Patriarchy:

Patriarchy is the social system in which men are awarded higher social status than women.

The social, political, cultural and historical basis of which is predominant in the nuclear family and the social sphere and is characterised by the domination of men over women.

Hierarchy:

Hierarchy is a value system in which your worth is measured by the number of people and things you control and how dutifully you obey those above you.

Rhetoric:

Using various language/verbal techniques/tricks to persuade and dominate other people.

Series of statements directed at an individual or group in a debate which contain pre-suppositions that are derogative and often hurtfull towards the target person/group.

In our patriarchal society, women are often not so aware of the existence of rethoric and therefore are often less prepared to defend themselves against it.

Questionnaire

1. Are you male, female or other?
2. What is your age?
3. Where are you located ?
4. What groups are you affiliated with ?
5. Have you or do you experience differences in personal power between men and women in your working groups, communities, job or family (for example; in discussions, writing, taking decisions, handling infrastructure, direct actions, daily tasks, taking care of people... ? who does what and how ?
6. Is the anti-patriarchal struggle explicitly addressed in your working groups, communities, job or family ? If so how? ?
7. Has your group/community experienced incidences of sexual harassment, assault or gender domination through physical behaviour and rhetoric? If so how did you deal with it personally and how did your group deal with it? ?
8. Would like to tell about any personal experiences of gender inequality ?

9 a) What do you think/feel about people/groups/classes taking the time to meet specifically amongst themselves as a tool to fight against domination or oppression by others. (for example, as women-only discussions/working/support groups/spaces but also in the context of immigrants/'ethnic' minorities in racist society/working class people in a capitalist society/disabled people/gays and lesbians etc.)?

9 b) What do you think about men taking the time to meet amongst themselves as a way of stimulating reflection and action about the way that men can (consciously or unconsciously) dominate or oppress women and try to develop constructive strategies in working against oppressive masculine behaviours and the restrictive nature of socially imposed gender constructions?

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