IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/bla/gender/v30y2023i3p1104-1123.html

We are both women and Kurd: An intersectional analysis of female Kolbars challenges in Iranian Kurdistan amid the COVID crisis

Author

Listed:
  • Yosra AleAhmad

Abstract

This study uses an intersectional lens to explore the embodied experiences of Kurdish female porters (porters are called Kolbars in the Kurdish language) in Iranian Kurdistan and how their lives and employment have been impacted by the COVID‐19 crisis by drawing on one semi‐structured interview with a female Kolbar living in a rural area of Kurdistan Province. The findings demonstrate that female Kolbars are victims of intersected factors such as gender, ethnicity, solid patriarchal culture in the region and country, the unequal distribution of resources and wealth throughout the country, and economic sanctions and recessions in the state. They resist these various sources of oppression by risking their lives and carrying loads across mountainous borders, staying silent and committing suicide when they have no other options. This study contributes to the feminist intersectionality debate by rendering the intersectional embodied aspects of a marginalized, unfranchised, and under‐studied population of women in one of the most gender‐inequitable countries in the world. Furthermore, it adds to the broader literature on gender inequalities that lie outside of typical organisations and the Western context.

Suggested Citation

  • Yosra AleAhmad, 2023. "We are both women and Kurd: An intersectional analysis of female Kolbars challenges in Iranian Kurdistan amid the COVID crisis," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(3), pages 1104-1123, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:gender:v:30:y:2023:i:3:p:1104-1123
    DOI: 10.1111/gwao.12975
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1111/gwao.12975
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1111/gwao.12975?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mou Rani Sarker, 2021. "Labor market and unpaid works implications of COVID‐19 for Bangladeshi women," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(S2), pages 597-604, July.
    2. Joseph Stiglitz & Amartya K. Sen & Jean-Paul Fitoussi, 2009. "The measurement of economic performance and social progress revisited: Reflections and Overview," Sciences Po Economics Publications (main) hal-01069384, HAL.
    3. Sophie Harman, 2016. "Ebola, gender and conspicuously invisible women in global health governance," Third World Quarterly, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 37(3), pages 524-541, March.
    4. Jessica A. Peck, 2021. "The disproportionate impact of COVID‐19 on women relative to men: A conservation of resources perspective," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(S2), pages 484-497, July.
    5. Emmanouela Mandalaki & Noortje van Amsterdam & Ajnesh Prasad & Marianna Fotaki, 2022. "Caring about the unequal effects of the pandemic: What feminist theory, art, and activism can teach us," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(4), pages 1224-1235, July.
    6. Jenny Rodriguez & Evangelina Holvino & Joyce K. Fletcher & Stella M. Nkomo & Jenny K. Rodriguez & Evangelina Holvino & Joyce K. Fletcher & Stella M. Nkomo, 2016. "The Theory and Praxis of Intersectionality in Work and Organisations: Where Do We Go From Here?," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 23(3), pages 201-222, May.
    7. Shahram Akbarzadeh & Zahid Shahab Ahmed & Costas Laoutides & William Gourlay, 2019. "The Kurds in Iran: balancing national and ethnic identity in a securitised environment," Third World Quarterly, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 40(6), pages 1145-1162, June.
    8. World Bank, 2021. "Iran Economic Monitor, Spring 2021," World Bank Publications - Reports 35741, The World Bank Group.
    9. repec:spo:wpmain:info:hdl:2441/5l6uh8ogmqildh09h4687h53k is not listed on IDEAS
    10. Jenny K. Rodriguez & Tracy Scurry, 2019. "Female and foreign: An intersectional exploration of the experiences of skilled migrant women in Qatar," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(4), pages 480-500, May.
    11. Bina Agarwal, 1997. "''Bargaining'' and Gender Relations: Within and Beyond the Household," Feminist Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 3(1), pages 1-51.
    12. Joseph E. Stiglitz & Amartya Sen & Jean-Paul Fitoussi, 2009. "The measurement of economic performance and social progress revisited," Documents de Travail de l'OFCE 2009-33, Observatoire Francais des Conjonctures Economiques (OFCE).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Nadia Singh & Areet Kaur, 2022. "The COVID‐19 pandemic: Narratives of informal women workers in Indian Punjab," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(2), pages 388-407, March.
    2. ChangHwan Kim & Arthur Sakamoto, 2017. "Women’s Progress for Men’s Gain? Gender-Specific Changes in the Return to Education as Measured by Family Standard of Living, 1990 to 2009–2011," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 54(5), pages 1743-1772, October.
    3. Espinoza-Delgado, José & Silber, Jacques, 2018. "Multi-dimensional poverty among adults in Central America and gender differences in the three I’s of poverty: Applying inequality sensitive poverty measures with ordinal variables," MPRA Paper 88750, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    4. Heinz Welsch, 2024. "Household Sector Carbon Pricing, Revenue Rebating, and Subjective Well-Being: A Dollar is not a Dollar," Working Papers V-444-24, University of Oldenburg, Department of Economics, revised Apr 2024.
    5. Greco, Salvatore & Ishizaka, Alessio & Tasiou, Menelaos & Torrisi, Gianpiero, 2018. "σ-µ efficiency analysis: A new methodology for evaluating units through composite indices," MPRA Paper 83569, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    6. Aistė Diržytė & Ona Gražina Rakauskienė & Vaida Servetkienė, 2017. "Evaluation of resilience impact on socio-economic inequality," Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues, VsI Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Center, vol. 4(4), pages 489-501, June.
    7. Leonardo Becchetti & Emanuele Bobbio & Federico Prizia & Lorenzo Semplici, 2022. "Going Deeper into the S of ESG: A Relational Approach to the Definition of Social Responsibility," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-22, August.
    8. Olga M. Gusarova & Svetlana L. Lozhkina & Tatiana V. Reger & Elena V. Tarasova & Gleb A. Agapov, 2021. "Assessment of the ecological potential of the region using the method of regression analysis and the coefficient of elasticity for sustainable development," RIVISTA DI STUDI SULLA SOSTENIBILITA', FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 0(1), pages 111-131.
    9. Samy Katumba & Julia Kadt & Mark Orkin & Paul Fatti, 2022. "Construction of a Reflective Quality of Life Index for Gauteng Province in South Africa," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 164(1), pages 373-408, November.
    10. Stefano Marchetti & Luca Secondi, 2017. "Estimates of Household Consumption Expenditure at Provincial Level in Italy by Using Small Area Estimation Methods: “Real” Comparisons Using Purchasing Power Parities," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 131(1), pages 215-234, March.
    11. Franziska Gassmann & Bruno Martorano & Jennifer Waidler, 2022. "How Social Assistance Affects Subjective Wellbeing: Lessons from Kyrgyzstan," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 58(4), pages 827-847, April.
    12. Nafisa Yeasmin & Timo Koivurova, 2021. "Social Enterprises of Immigrants: A Panacea for the Finnish Labour Market?," South Asian Journal of Business and Management Cases, , vol. 10(2), pages 180-195, August.
    13. Chakraborty, Saptorshee Kanto & Mazzanti, Massimiliano, 2021. "Renewable electricity and economic growth relationship in the long run: Panel data econometric evidence from the OECD," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 330-341.
    14. Bothof, Simon & te Boveldt, Geert & Boussauw, Kobe, 2025. "Identifying transport policy priorities through a meta-analysis of cost-benefit analysis in the Netherlands and Flanders," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 172(C).
    15. Nikolova, Milena, 2016. "Minding the happiness gap: Political institutions and perceived quality of life in transition," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 45(S), pages 129-148.
    16. Qiamuddin ANDAISH & Yogesh N. VANSIYA, 2025. "A comparative analysis of development in SAARC countries in the relation of sustainable development – taxonomic analysis," Theoretical and Applied Economics, Asociatia Generala a Economistilor din Romania / Editura Economica, vol. 0(2(643), S), pages 53-70, Summer.
    17. Noreen Zahra & Maryam Ahmad, 2017. "Advanced Education and Entrepreneurship: Mediating Role of Information & Communication and Personal Freedom," Business & Economic Review, Institute of Management Sciences, Peshawar, Pakistan, vol. 9(3), pages 217-239, September.
    18. Chong Hui Ling & Khalid Ahmed & Rusnah Muhamad & Muhammad Shahbaz & Nanthakumar Loganathan, 2017. "Testing the Social Cost of Rapid Economic Development in Malaysia: The Effect of Trade on Life Expectancy," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 130(3), pages 1005-1023, February.
    19. Rogie Royce Carandang & Akira Shibanuma & Edward Asis & Dominga Carolina Chavez & Maria Teresa Tuliao & Masamine Jimba, 2020. "“Are Filipinos Aging Well?”: Determinants of Subjective Well-Being among Senior Citizens of the Community-Based ENGAGE Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-13, October.
    20. Chen, Le-Yu & Oparina, Ekaterina & Powdthavee, Nattavudh & Srisuma, Sorawoot, 2022. "Robust Ranking of Happiness Outcomes: A Median Regression Perspective," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 200(C), pages 672-686.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:bla:gender:v:30:y:2023:i:3:p:1104-1123. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Wiley Content Delivery (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/journal.asp?ref=0968-6673 .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.