Lafayette Journal & Courier

Professor to address international conference

May 29, 2007

When Purdue University professor Valentine Moghadam stands up to speak today, she'll likely never have a more focused audience.

Moghadam, director of Purdue's Women's Studies Program and a professor of sociology, will give the opening remarks at the first Nobel Women's Initiative International Conference in Galway, Ireland. The Nobel Women's Initiative was founded by six female Nobel Peace Prize winners to combat violence against women worldwide and support women's rights.

The international conference will focus on the Middle East and will be attended by international human rights activists, disarmament experts and former political prisoners.

"It's quite an honor and a privilege," Moghadam said.

Moghadam is an Iranian-American and will speak on Middle East conflicts and their effects on women in Syria, Iran, Iraq and other countries.

Moghadam said all people are adversely affected when there is a conflict in their country, but women are subjected to the additional scourge of rape and often have little say in the governance of their countries or the conflicts.

"It makes the conflict different for men and women," Moghadam said.

Moghadam hopes her involvement can bring more interest at Purdue about women's issues around the world.

She added that it's not just Middle Eastern or other foreign women who experience violence or persecution in the world.

"As we know, even in Western countries, there are forms of violence, rape and harassment in the workplace," Moghadam said.