Liberation struggle and the liberation of women: women in the Algerian liberation struggle

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Periodical article

Title:	Liberation struggle and the liberation of women: women in the Algerian liberation struggle
Author:	Hélie-Lucas, M.-A.
Year:	1989
Periodical:	IFDA Dossier
Issue:	72
Pages:	37-48
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Algeria
Subjects:	national liberation struggles women
Abstract:	The image the outside world has formed of the role of women in the Algerian liberation struggle is shaped mainly by the books of Fanon, the film 'The battle of Algiers', and the life histories of a few national heroines like Djamila Bouhired. From these sources, the Algerian woman appears as a freedom fighter who carried arms against the French colonial army, equal to men in the struggle. This myth, however, is contradicted by a study carried out by Djamila Amrane on the basis of data from the Ministry of Veterans archives. This study shows that, of 10,949 women registered as veterans, 9,194 are considered to be 'civilians', and 1,755 'military'. Nurturing, maintenance, and, occasionally, medical care, were the main tasks of women in the Algerian liberation struggle. During this crucial period, the stage was set for twenty-five years of women's oppression. Note, ref.