How We Survived Communism And Even Laughed Summary

Slavenka Drakulić, a renowned feminist writer and journalist, has critically examined the nature of life under communism, particularly its impact on women. In her works, such as How We Survived Communism and Even Laughed, Drakulić sheds light on the challenges and inequalities faced by women living in communist regimes, challenging the popular belief in the rhetoric of equality promoted by communism. Through her powerful and poignant writing, Drakulić explores three key themes that highlight the problematic aspects of life for women under communism: gender inequality, reproductive control, and the double burden of work and caregiving responsibilities. Through her feminist critique of communism, Drakulić challenges the popular belief in the

Women were expected to participate in the workforce alongside men, but they often faced discrimination in terms of lower pay, limited career opportunities, and lack of decision-making power. Additionally, traditional gender roles and expectations persisted, where women were still primarily responsible for household and caregiving duties, on top of their paid employment. Women were assigned to traditionally female-dominated sectors, such as healthcare, education, or domestic work, where their labor and contributions were undervalued and underpaid. Women may have been subjected to harassment, unequal pay, and gender-based discrimination, which undermined the notion of gender equality promised by communism. Women were often burdened with responsibilities of household work and caregiving alongside their paid employment, resulting in an unequal distribution of labor and limited opportunities for personal and professional

These policies violated women’s basic human rights and left them with little agency and control over their reproductive lives. The discrepancy between the rhetoric of gender equality and the reality of reproductive control by the state undermined the popular belief in communism as a progressive ideology. This intrusion into women’s personal lives and reproductive decisions was seen as a violation of their basic human rights and autonomy. It also conflicted with popular beliefs in communism, which claimed to prioritize individual freedoms. Women who resisted or tried to assert their reproductive rights often faced consequences such as social ostracism, loss of employment, or even legal repercussions. This led to frustration, resentment, and resistance among women who felt that their reproductive choices were being controlled by the