Women's health movements : a global force for change /

This book is a major contribution to the study of women's health movements in a global context. "This book shows why women have found it necessary to organize in order to improve their own health. It honors the achievements of women's health movements around the world, recognizing the fight and spirit of feisty women," according to the text. Examples abound of grassroots women's health projects: Traditional and Modern Health Practitioners Together against AIDS (THETA) in Uganda, Women's Healthy Environments Network (WHEN) in Canada, the California-based Filipino American Coalition for Environmental Solutions (FACES). The seven chapters provide a historical perspective on the organizing efforts of women worldwide, focusing on the intersection of gender, race, class, the north/south divide, women's triple workday (home, community, and workplace), the struggle against the pharmaceutical industry, violence against women, and reproductive rights. It closes with redefinition of women's health from a biomedical to social framework and a reflection on universalism and equality. This book is a source of inspiration for activist scholars. It is accessible and engaging reading, well researched, and highly recommended for undergraduate and graduate students in political science, public policy, and women's studies; human rights activists; and health care providers and practitioners. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readership levels. I. Coronado University of Texas at El Paso