Women Writer’s Panel Discussion
Three women writers from the IWP in 1990 discuss the conditions they encounter as female writers in their respective countries. Ezzat Goushegir of Iran discusses women’s issues in contemporary Iran ruled under the state of fundamentalist Islam. She finds the difficulties that have affected women writers in the past are still existent. Goushegir also tells of her childhood growing up in the middle class of Iran. Ophelia Dimanlanta gives a brief history of Filipino women writers and and defines the differences between being a feminist and being feminist writer. She believes that women’s writing in the Philippines is viewed as inferior and there is a sense that women can only write romances. Dimanlanta believes women writers need to be the spokeswomen for the marginalized. Jean Arasanayagam describes how women are currently viewed in Sri Lanka and the breakdown of the traditional family system. Discussion with the audience ends the panel.
In: International Writing Program Archive
Authors: Ezzat Goushegir , Ophelia Alcantara Dimalanta, Jean Arasanayagam
Date Recorded: September 27, 1990
Program: --
Format: discussion
Contributors: Clark Blaise; Peter Nazareth
Topics: Islamic fundamentalism; gender equality; feminism; male chauvenism; Pygmalion; Western influence
Note: Ophelia Dimalanta also known as Ophelia A. Dimalanta. Ezzat Guishegir also known as Ezzat Guisheguir.