The Gender Difference: Feminist Critiques of Refugee Discourse

Feminist critiques of the Convention refugee definition have called for the addition of gender as a prohibited ground of persecution. However, the inclusion of gender as such a ground assumes consensus on the nature of gender-based persecution. This article takes issue with recent writing on gender-based persecution, particularly the relationship between women and the State. The author proposes the adoption of a human rights-based definition of persecution, the recognition of women as a particular social group, research into and documentation of gender-specific oppression (including laws and customs), and general access to full and fair hearings as steps which could be taken to develop a comprehensive profile of gender-based refugee claims. [Descriptors: Migration - Refugees and Immigration]