women building peace the issues women resolving conflicts

“In today’s war zones, women are prime targets – but they are also powerful peacebuilders. As the focus of war has shifted from the battlefield to the village, so the power to prevent, heal and end wars has shifted to the community – where women play a key role.” – Carolyn Hayman, Chief Executive, Peace Direct in work.” destruction of the health the community, rebuilder omen’s special status It has also been and education services of the economy. And their Was both victims recognised at the highest on which their families perspectives are invaluable and healers of war was level of international depend, and displacement in making peace. recognised in the Nobel politics, in UN Security as refugees. Peace Direct supports Peace Prize for 2011, Council Resolution 1325. The resolution also women peacebuilders in awarded to three women This groundbreaking asserts their special role conflict zones worldwide. from Liberia and Yemen declaration acknowledges in building peace. When We help them to turn high “for their non-violent the devastating impact the men of fighting age ideals into practical peace, struggle for the safety of of war on women, who have disappeared to war, at the grassroots, where women and for women’s suffer disproportionately women become the head conflicts start and where rights to full participation from sexual violence, of household, conserver of they need to end.

“No lasting peace can be achieved after conflict unless the needs of women are met – not only justice for victims, but active involvement in creating a society in which their rights are respected and their voices heard.” (William Hague, UK Foreign Secretary) in action: women challenging men

Turning war into peace – and making peace last – takes more than an official treaty. It takes real change, at every level of society and in the minds of those in- volved, who are so often men. In post-war Sri Lan- ka, peacebuilder Dishani Jayaweera works with leaders from all the warring communities, challenging their views. For nine years now, 400 religious leaders from has taught them skills in Dishani has been gathering across these divides. conflict transformation.” ecades of civil war have priests and monks from “What is remarkable And here is how one Dleft Sri Lanka gripped the divided Buddhist, about Dishani,” says one Christian leader was by tensions between Hindu, Muslim and participant, “is her ability changed forever: “My son ethnic-religious groups, Christian communities, to lead male clergy. In fell in love with a Sinhalese which are fuel for future getting them to face each Sri Lanka, women are Buddhist girl. I would conflicts. Dishani aims to other and recognise their not empowered to take never have allowed him replace mistrust and fear common humanity. She leadership roles. But the to marry a Sinhalese, but with peaceful co-existence has set up multi-faith clergy in her projects after Dishani’s workshops, – helped by the men who groups across Sri Lanka, look to her as a source I accepted and blessed lead the island’s faiths. and her latest event drew of wisdom – and she my son to marry this girl.”

“For generations, women have served as peace educators, both in their families and in their societies. They have proved instrumental in building bridges rather than walls.” (Kofi Annan, former UN secretary-general) In acTion: kashmir women protecting women

Conflicts affect women in the loss of husbands and sons, the deliberate use of rape as a weapon of war, the collapse of communities, and the brutalisation of individuals. In turbulent Kashmir, peacebuilder Ashima Kaul set up safe havens for women, and persuaded government to pass laws on domestic violence. a place of their own, where recalls Abida, a 23-year- to change-makers. They they can meet to share old woman who arrived are using their access to t is eight years since experiences, heal trauma, “not daring to open her religious leaders, business IAshima established the and build a sense of rights. mouth for fear of being leaders and the media, to first ‘samanbal’, or safe This includes standing heard.” Abida now leads promote a culture of peace haven, in the Kashmir up as a group to threats of computer courses for throughout the province. valley. There is now one domestic violence against women. She told Ashima: Now Ashima has set up such building in each any member. And learning “Now I am like a man of a new organisation with district, and women go new skills to earn money the house, I am treated young people in the valley there daily. In this war- for their families and equally as my brother.” – the next generation who torn, patriarchal society, respect for themselves. Together these women will determine violence or each samanbal gives them Ashima smiles as she have moved from victims peace in Kashmir.

“The education and empowerment of women throughout the world cannot fail to result in a more caring, tolerant, just and peaceful life for all.” (Aung San Suu Kyi, Nobel Peace Prize laureate) in action: women saving young people

Young people in conflict areas risk learning and repeating the hatreds of the previous generation – and perpetuating the cycle of violence. On Pakistan’s lawless border with Afghanistan, where over 4,000 people have died in suicide attacks, peacebuilder Gulalai Ismail is reaching out to rescue the next generation. militant organisations. with the network, one of part of Gulalai’s team, One of their proudest many they hold in schools, saving other young people errorism is a daily threat members is Mian, a young universities and remote from repeating the cycle of Tin north-west Pakistan, man whose father had villages. These events are conflict. Together they are where Gulalai runs the been killed in a sectarian designed to educate young working to build a peaceful Aware Girls network. conflict. Before contact people that violence is not future in the area. Set up when she was only from the network, Mian the only way to address Gulalai says of the Aware 16 years old, this brave was so enraged by his their grievances. Girls: “Women are not band of young people aim father’s death that he was Mian listened and only victims of conflict, to halt religious extremism determined on violent understood. He chose a they are drivers of peace. and rescue their peers revenge. Then he was different path. And now Women’s voices must be from recruitment into invited to a study circle he is a co-ordinator for heard if peace is to last.”

“Teach a man and you teach an individual, but teach a woman and you teach a village.” (African proverb) YOU CAN HELP WOMEN BUILDing PEACE

upport women like Dishani, Ashima and Gulalai Sas they build peace by challenging men, protecting women and saving the next generation. They need your help to continue their vital work:

£25 could help a young person in Pakistan to challenge extremism among their peers.

£48 could train three teachers in Kashmir to change their students’ perceptions of violence.

£102 could host an interfaith dialogue event in Sri Lanka to build understanding and tolerance between religious leaders. Please give whatever you can afford. And remember – your gift will save lives, rebuild communities and heal people.

give online at www.peacedirect.org yes – i want to help women stop conflicts and save lives.

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“Peace Direct offers an action plan for those opposed to war. It is the civil rights movement of the twenty-first century.” (dame anita roddick, founder of bodyshop and human rights activist) “I am convinced that the women of the world, united, can become a most powerful force for international peace.” – Coretta Scott King civil rights activist widow of Martin Luther King

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