90 Book Reviews 
group is mentioned by name to illustrate a point. North American Indians 
are either grouped together or described as diverse, with no concrete 
illustration. Further, there is no attempt to link the oppression of rural 
minorities and that of the urban poor, or to examine the relevance and 
appropriateness or otherwise of social work in urban contexts, let alone in 
the rural one. This narrow analysis seems to the reviewer to be a 
considerable weakness. 
Because of these limitations, it is perhaps unlikely that this book will do a 
great deal to convert those who do not share the author's perspective on 
development; and, for those already converted, it may serve to clarify and 
confirm some of their ideas, but may not take them very much further along 
the road of critical analysis (not to mention skill development): it is too 
general, too unclear, and too brief. 
But if to some degree it does promote a critical and concerned 
understanding of the rural situation, and stimulates discussion and a 
diversity of approach, then to that extent the book will have succeeded in its 
undeniably valid and constructive central aim. 
Reviewed by Helen Jackson, School of Social Work, Harare. 
Vocational Rehabilitation for Women with Disabilities, Sheila Stace, ILO 
Geneva, 1986 (38pp, Sfrs 12,50). 
This short monograph discusses the dual discrimination faced by disabled 
women seeking education, training and employment. It concludes that 
discrimination because of gender is probably of greater significance than 
discrimination because of disability, basing diis assessment on a review of 
literature in both developing and developed countries. 
Because of the wide geographical scope of die text, the author can only 
make rather general observations and proposals, and she acknowledges a 
great shortage of hard data and research on die subject which in itself reflects 
how hidden are the problems faced by disabled women. A computer search 
in die USA for references in psychology on disabled men and disabled 
women found 7 500 of die former, and only 19 of the latter. Nevertheless, 
some useful general points emerge from die review: 
"The literature discussed indicates diat underlying attitudes result in 
disabled women being offered fewer options, having lower aspirations 
and accepting a greater degree of dependency than their disability 
requires. It has also shown that vocational rehabilitation has not come 
to terms widi the real pattern of women's work and their dual role of 
homemaker and income earner." (p 24). 
The audior points out that sexist public attitudes are also internalised by die 
(predominandy male) professionals in all areas of vocational rehabilitation, 
and by disabled women themselves.
Book Reviews 91 
Disabled women, more than any other grouping, have been excluded 
from educational and vocational skills training programmes, material and 
financial assistance and work opportunities. At the same time they have 
difficulty in fulfilling home-making roles too. They are often over-protected 
or neglected by their families, so cannot fulfil traditional female roles in the 
home or subsistence activities, and their niarriageability is low. 
Measures suggested to improve the position of disabled women include 
proposals lor more Incused research; for extended action programmes at 
different levels to improve the status of women and of the disabled; 
recommendations specifically on vocational rehabilitation, and proposals 
for changing attitudes of the general public and of disabled women 
themselves. It is argued that improvements in the status, education, training 
and employment of women in general will have repercussions for disabled 
women in particular. 
Whilst having too broad a focus to provide very much practical detail and 
example in the analysis, the monograph nevertheless makes a useful and 
readable contribution to the subject of women and disability by highlighting 
the extent of the neglect, and encouraging a more developed sensitivity to 
the needs and rights of disabled women — and indeed, of women in general. 
Points are made clearly and concisely, and a manageable and up to date 
bibliography is provided for further reference. It also makes the essential 
point that disabled women themselves need to be included and actively 
involved in the struggle for recognition and improved life chances. 
In summary, this is a brief but valuable introduction to a much neglected 
subject. 
Reviewed by Helen Jackson, School of Social Work, Harare. 
The Importance of People — Experiences, lessons and ideas on rural 
development training in Zimbabwe: Hlekweni and beyond, Martin ile 
Graaf (Editor) and Brigid Willmore (Assistant Editor), Hlekweni FRSC, 
Bulawayo, 1987 (191pp, Z$8 plus s/tax). 
In 1987, Hlekweni Friends Rural Service Centre celebrated its 20th 
anniversary. Besides an Open Day at die Centre, Hlekweni staff, past and 
present, in collaboration with the Centre's friends and supporters, decided 
to produce a publication, as a more permanent tribute to the Centre and the 
people it serves. The Importance of People not only tells the story of 
Hlekweni and the philosophy behind it, but includes several contributions 
discussing current rural development training in Zimbabwe. Whilst 
Hlekweni is the starting point, the book as a whole provides a broader look at 
some aspects of development, and of training for development, throughout 
the country, with particular emphasis on the role and work of nongovernmental 
organisations (NGOs).