Celebrating Women as Peace Leaders
Conflicts and violence are prevalent in many regions of the world with devastating impacts on women and girls. Women often bear the brunt of the suffering caused by conflict and must be included in peacebuilding efforts to ensure that their voices and needs are heard and addressed. Without the active participation of women, peace agreements and post-conflict reconstruction efforts are less likely to be successful and sustainable.
In the year 2000, the United Nations Security Council adopted resolution 1325 which affirms the importance of women's participation in all aspects of peacebuilding, from conflict prevention and resolution to post-conflict reconstruction and reconciliation. It also calls for the protection of women's rights and the prevention of gender-based violence in conflict and post-conflict situations among others.
As leaders in their communities, we asked some of the women peacebuilders in our Euphrates family to share their insights.
Why is it important to have women engaged in the field of peacebuilding?
Jigyasa (India): Peacebuilding without women is impossible. Absence of women is a direct indication that there are flaws in the system. And, how could we think of peace without resolving the structural issues? How can we bring peace without the participation of half of the population?
Zelda (South Africa): It is very important to have women in the field of peacebuilding because women are the peacebuilders in their respective communities, supporting and taking care not only of their own families but extended families, especially the children.
Greshma (India): Women are everyday peacebuilders who peacefully overcome daily conflicts with their inner selves, their families at home, their co-workers at workplaces,and people in their communities. Women have changed the world through their arts of silence, resistance, and strong voices. It is very evident that the majority of local peacebuilders are women, yet they aren’t always allowed at the table during negotiations and mediation.
Ola (Nigeria): It is important to have women in peacebuilding because women are peaceful, compassionate, mindful and they have a very big heart. If women are in peacebuilding it makes peace work easier because they have a lot of things to give to the family, community and society development such as peace advocacy, justice, equality and equity.
Regardless of the critical role women play in peacebuilding, their participation is not without challenges. In many communities women are silenced or their voices are marginalized. How can we support these women?
Oluchi (Nigeria): It is a fact that historically, the peacebuilding process has very much been seen as one that is primarily reserved for men. In Africa, precisely Nigeria, women are excluded from negotiation and mediation discussion. If women are allowed to participate in peacebuilding processes, conflicts will reduce in the society. It is known that women peacebuilders are few in our various communities. Engaging women in peacebuilding and conflict resolution workshops and sensitization training will help them to develop their skills and consequently, be professionals like their male counterparts.
Ola: Education! When you educate a woman, you have given her voice and knowledge to contribute and participate in decision making.
Greshma: Embrace womanhood!! Women are the greatest supporters of women. We have to create safe spaces for women to share their voices; we can be compassionate listeners for our women friends, and we can be the guides for other women who have lost their way.
Wazieh (Nigeria): Violence against the woman is an act against the voice of a woman being heard. Therefore, it is of great paramount to advocate against violence on the woman.
Jigyasa: The first step is to assist women in realizing their potential. As women, the biggest barrier to us is our self-doubt that has been internalized by us due to persistent struggles. With mechanisms like education, we could start breaking this barrier. Women know their destiny, what they need is support to clear the fog to clearly see their path.
Are there any women from which you draw your inspiration?
Jenny (South Africa): I am inspired by Mama Graca Machel, a wonderful compassionate activist for the rights of women and young girls. She says “ There is no “culture” that determines that a human being can diminish, oppress and discriminate against another human being. That is not culture, it is tradition, a practice. Culture is the best of the values, we as human beings cherish.”
Zelda: I draw my inspiration from my late mother. She was a woman who practiced UBUNTU. She could not read or write but she never allowed anyone to stand in her way of sharing,caring and standing up for her rights and the voice for the voiceless.
Oluchi: My inspiration comes from my mother. She was so passionate about ensuring that peace grows in my community. My inspiration also flows from all the women leading the Euphrates Institute work. I appreciate them a lot!
Jigyasa: I have been lucky enough to be surrounded by strong and inspiring women. My mother, colleagues, friends, mother of my friends, the lady managing security at the metro station, I draw inspiration from each one of them.
What guidance can you offer to your sisters in peacebuilding work?
Zelda: First find inner peace then interpeace because when you peace with yourself we can work towards global peace!
Greshma: We need to hold all women together to break the chains, and this could only happen through our tireless efforts of speaking up and standing for our rights.
Jigyasa: Trust yourself and be persistent. As you move forward, uplift other women. Women are the backbone of any community who are ready to break and be vulnerable but also to defend and fight for their people.
Wazieh: Be courageous and confident in your own value. Know that you are not alone, a number of us are lined up behind you rooting for you and we believe in you and your ability to make an impact in your way.
We know that women are critical partners towards building sustainable peace and inclusive societies and therefore women leadership and empowerment is a necessity for lasting peace. At Euphrates, we work closely with women peacebuilders across the world, providing them with the necessary resources and support they need to continue their work. But, we cannot do this work alone, please join hands with us.