A feminist perspective on security in Jordan: A study of the interrelationship between human security and peace education

This dissertation introduces a gendered variable into the field of security studies by addressing the concept of security from an Arab feminist perspective. Women from five geographically diverse communities that reflect the various lifestyles and living standards of the Middle Eastern country of Jordan present their views on the concept of security. The intent was to broaden the parameters of what security entails by introducing a cultural feminist perspective to militarized conceptualizations of security.; The theoretical framework for this study is based on three approaches geared toward social transformation and is guided by three corresponding assumptions. The first theoretical approach stems from the ideals and principles embedded in critical feminist theory as an analytical tool for transforming sexist societies toward gender equality and justice. The second approach derives from the principles asserted by the Women's International Network on Gender and Human Security (WINGHS) human security paradigm as a means of transforming militarized societies toward more civil-oriented societies. The third, peace education, links all three together as a pedagogical framework for transforming violent and aggressive attitudes and behaviors, namely, sexism and militarism, toward nonviolent, non-militaristic, and equitable approaches to security and conflict.