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IFOR's Women Peacemakers Program believes that programs that specifically empower women peacemakers, and encourage women and girls to become involved in peacebuilding and civil society building, are essential for development. (mission)

 

Highlights:

 

Overcoming Violence - Exploring Masculinities, Violence and Peace

A first powerful outcome of the Training of Trainers on gender sensitive active non violence for men that WPP organized in December 2009, is a statement produced by the ToT trainees to affirm their commitment to gender-sensitive peacebuilding:

“We understand that men and women are socialised in a patriarchal system that legitimises use of different forms of violence to gain, restore and control power affecting powerless and marginalised sections of society. We fully acknowledge that women suffer far more than men from gender oppression.”

Please read the full statement “Together for Transformation: A Call to Men and Boys” that was drawn up during the Training.

Trainees’ first impressions of the Training of Trainers can be read via the blog: http://womenpeacemakers.blogspot.com/

"Men have a long history of not considering women in the equation and there is a danger in men getting involved in this area that we simply exercise another takeover bid." Read the article on the ToT written by Rob Fairmichael from Northern Ireland.

A comprehensive report on the training will be available early 2010.

 

Cover of the book on Mary Chandy01 October 2009: book on Mary Chandy, a pioneer, a true leader and Vice President of FOR India

Many women who have spent their whole life in peacebuilding, go unseen and unknown. This book acknowledges the leadership Mary Chandy gave to the cause of disadvantaged women and children and to FOR India. The basis of her nonviolent activism was her spiritual faith. It's a tribute not only to Mary but to several women leaders all over the world, who have shown us that it is possible to dream about a future wherein women can lead a life of sharing and participating in all issues which confront society. Please read the inspiring book on Mary Chandy's remarkable life, written by Dr. Suseela Mathew.

Voices of Peace from the Balkans and the Caucasus: 24 May 2009

Lesley Abdela - May 24 2009 Zorica Trifunovic - Women in Black Serbia

Every year WPP organizes 24 May, the International Women’s Day for Peace and Disarmament with a public event and a publication. This year the May 24 celebration focused on women peacemakers and musicians working for peace from the Balkans and the Caucasus.

Merima Kljuco - accordeon Debate May 24 2009

Please read the report on the day. Download here more pictures.

 

News and Announcements:

From the WPP Office

WPP, International Secretariat news: (read more)

WPP e-opportunities issue 6221 October 2009: New e-opportunities

WPP's e-opportunities contains information about upcoming trainings, seminars, campaigns, recently published materials, and job openings related to the issues of gender, peace and nonviolence. Read the latest issue

03 August 2009: New Cross the Lines!

Cross the Lines, issue 37Cross the Lines-37 is out now! It contains articles on men and boys as allies in overcoming violence, a report of the May 24 2009 celebration on voices of peace from the Balkans and the Caucasus and an article on three strong, pioneering women peacemakers. As always, it also contains news, resources and a calendar relatated to women, peace and security. Read Cross the Lines in Dutch, French, German and Russian. For previous editions of this newsletters and others, visit our archive.

23 June 2009: Nonviolence in Iran

A hope for change is what brought millions of women and men to the ballot boxes. A hope for change brings these same people to the streets now. Demanding their rights and demanding their votes to be heard." Read the article by WPP Information Officer José de Vries

Release May 24 Action Pack

May 24 2009 Action Pack; Voices of Peace from the Balkans and the Caucasus The 2009 May 24 Action Pack highlights challenges that women activists face in both the Balkans and the Caucasus and elaborates on the strategies these women apply to deal with the challenges. International activists and organisations such as Women in Black, Global Fund for Women, Kvinna till Kvinna, Musicians without Borders, Gulnara Shahinian and Lesley Abdela contributed with an article. To download the smaller size Action Pack click here

 

WPP news from the field: (read more)

23 September 2009: Advocacy training workshop in South Africa

Read the article in the Sunday Independent on the advocacy training that was organized in South Africa by the WPP Africa Regional Desk. The training aimed at enhancing the skills of women peace activists, so they are able to influence policies.

31 July 2009: Africa Desk Newsletter

This newsletter is a further demonstration of two years of visibility and active participation in the eEmpowerment of women towards increased political participation with particular orientation towards gGender and active non-violence. Read the second newsletter from the Africa Desk

13 July 2009: Call for applications: ToT Africa Desk

The WPP- Africa Desk intends to hold one-week Training in Advocacy skills for African women peacemakers /activists to enhance their skills in advocating for gender and nonviolence and, to strengthen their capacities to influence public policy at all levels so as to re-define peace on the continent. Advocacy is a skill that can be learnt, hence WPP’s desire to organize the training. Read more

29 June 2009: Police Bar Women Marchers - Zimbabwe

Speaking at the one-day conference, the national co-ordinator of WCOZ Netsai Mushonga said women wanted to take half of the positions available in the sub-committees that will spearhead the constitutional review process. Read more


 

 

Overcoming Violence - Exploring Masculinities, Violence and Peace

Gender lies at the root of war and peace and it is increasingly being recognized that issues of masculinities need to be addressed in the field of peacebuilding and active nonviolence. WPP is convinced that in order to transform cultures of war and violence, women peace activists need to work together with male allies on these issues. In light of this analysis, WPP has organized the Training of Trainers Program “Overcoming Violence - Exploring Masculinities, Violence and Peace”.

The first part of the ToT took place from November 30 till December 12, 2009 in The Netherlands, and brought together 19 pioneering activist men, from 17 different countries.

The training focused on gender-sensitive active non-violence, the theory of masculinities and its relation to violence, and participatory and gender-sensitive facilitation.

The rich exchange of strategies and cultural practices related to peacebuilding, active nonviolence and issues related to masculinities and femininities has been an empowering experience for all. During 2010, the WPP will be intensively working together with the trainees while they are preparing their community projects and follow-up trainings in their home context. All these activities include working together with female allies for gender-sensitive active nonviolent peacebuilding. Mid – 2010, the 19 trainees will participate in a second Training of Trainers as to exchange knowledge and experiences, and consolidate the learning into a training manual.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Women, Peace and Security

Updates on United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325: (read more)

Click here to read more on National Action Plans on 1325

08 November 2009: Statement by Asha Hagi Elmi Amin, on behalf of the NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security, at the UN Security Council Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security

"Women’s participation in peace processes is not optional: it is a requirement. However, it is not only the job of women to bring these voices and issues into all conflict resolution and rebuilding efforts. Men must also ensure that women’s rights and interests are meaningfully addressed in all peace processes, and included in peace agreements and conflict transformation planning, such as security sector and judicial reform, service provision, in addressing impunity, and in the truth and reconciliation process." Read the statement

01 October 2009: EU Comprehensive Approach to the European Union Implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions 1325 & 1820 on Women, Peace & Security 

The European Union has policy commitments to promote the role of women in peace building and to enhance the implementation of UNSC Resolution 1325 in its external actions. Building on these commitments, this document sets out a common EU approach to the implementation
of UNSC Resolutions 1325 and 1820. Read more

01 October 2009: Debate on Women, Peace and Security in October 2009

In October the Council is expected to hold an open debate on the implementation of resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. Read more

30 September 2009: Support to Resolution 1820: Security Council demands end to conflict-related sexual violence in Resolution 1888

With its resolution today, the Security Council is sending an unequivocal message -- a call to action. It is an ambitious platform for intensifying this struggle. It builds on resolution 1820, which itself set an important precedent by recognizing the links between sexual violence and sustainable peace and security. Women's empowerment must be at the heart of our global work for peace and development. Read more

23 September 2009: Strategy Session women against sexual violence

The International Women's Tribune Centre is hosting a blog to track the currents and conversations between participants at a strategy session where women from various countries come together to share experiences on their work with implementing international policies like Security Council Resolution (SCR) 1325 in conflict-affected countries, and begin a strategic and practical "grounding" in their work with SCR 1820. WPP Program Manager Isabelle Geuskens and WPP Africa Desk Coordinator Akos Dzathor are participating in this session. Read more

14 September 2009: Portugal 1325 National Action Plan

Portugal is the most recent country to launch a national action plan on the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security.

09 February 2009: Evaluating the Dutch National Action Plan on UNSC Resolution 1325 after one year of implementation

This report, “Evaluating the Dutch National Action Plan on UNSC Resolution 1325 after one year of implementation”, is the outcome of an evaluation of the Dutch NAP 1325. The WG 1325 is a coalition of Dutch organisations working to advance implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on women and conflict. WPP is part of this working group.

 

 

Campaigns and actions (read more)

08 February 2010: World March of Women: Third International Action

"In 2010, we - activists of the World March of Women from all five continents - will be on the march once more. We will march to demonstrate our perseverance and our strength as collectively organised women with diverse experiences, political cultures and ethnic backgrounds, but with a common identity and goal: the desire to overthrow the current, unjust world order that provokes violence and poverty, and to construct the world we want based on peace, justice, equality, freedom and solidarity." Read more

07 February 2010: Call for Solidarity: Freedom and Gender Equality in Iran

"We (a group of Iranian feminists and women's rights activists) demand an end to state-led violence and repression, as well as the immediate release of all political detainees in Iran. We invite all women's rights defenders, activists, organisations, and networks worldwide to demonstrate their solidarity with the Iranian women's movement and the broader movement for democracy in Iran by organising initiatives under the slogan 'freedom and gender equality in Iran' throughout March 2010..." Read more

16 September 2009: Regional Women's Lobby for Peace, Security and Justice in SEE

The Regional Women’s Lobby (RWL) for Peace, Security and Justice in SEE calls upon EULEX and the Kosovo Government to urgently act to end the hunger strike of the mothers holding a vigil in front of the Prishtina morgue. Read the press statement

14 September 2009: Afghanistan: Five Million Afghan Women Campaign

Women rights activists and civil society representatives from all over the country gathered and launched a campaign of 5 million Afghan eligible women to support women’s political participation in order to ensure the rule of law and gender equality. Read more

13 September 2009: Burma: Help Justice Defeat Tyranny

Aung San Suu Kyi was sentenced to another year and a half of detention on trumped up charges. Sign the petition to condemn the cruel conviction of Aung San Suu Kyi.

12 September 2009: Iran: Ongoing detention, judicial prosecution and intimidation

Front Line is deeply concerned that Human rights defenders in Iran continue to face ongoing detention, judicial prosecution and intimidation following the post-election protests of June 2009. Take Action!

31 July 2009: Chechnya: Assassination of human rights defender Ms Natalya Estemirova

Natalya Estemirova was an award winning human rights defender who had continued to document human rights violations in Chechnya and speak out on behalf of victims and their families in the face of repeated death threats and harassment. Read more

28 July 2009: Iran: Solidarity Statement

On the occasion of the Global Day of Action for Human Rights in Iran, members of the Women Human Rights Defenders International Coalition (WHRD IC) express solidarity with the civil society in Iran. Read the Statement

 

Be the change!

 

Other news items: (read more)

07 February 2010: Invest in Women - Do you see the opportunity?

The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs presents the video clip ‘Invest in Women – Do you see the opportunity?’ This is the first video in a 3-part series of short videos about the MDG3 Fund. Central in this video are the chances and opportunities created by investing in women and girls. View the video

07 February 2010: UN: Beijing+15 Documentation

This resource provides Beijing+15 documentation, including background information and NGO statements. The documents are available in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish. Read more

31 January 2010: Margot Wallstrom of Sweden, Ban Ki Moon's choice for SRSG on WPS focus on Sexual violence

"I have informed the Security Council of my intention to appoint Ms. Margot Wallstrom, Vice-President of the European Commission--as my Special Representative to intensify efforts to end sexual violence against women and children in conflict areas." Read the full statement

29 january 2010: Reaction from Afghan women civil society leaders to the communiqué of the London Conference on Afghanistan

The following statement was prepared and released by the Afghan Women’s Network. The Afghan Women’s Network, supported extensive consultations with Afghan women leaders preceding the London Conference and then provided for four Afghan women civil society leaders to travel to London during the conference proceedings to present women’s perspectives on security, governance, and regional cooperation. The result was a package of concrete recommendations. Read more

01 October 2009: Zimbabwe: Supreme Court ruling a win for rights over government intimidation

Today’s ruling by Zimbabwe’s Supreme Court against government-led efforts to prosecute prominent human rights defender Jestina Mukoko on charges of terrorism marks an important step toward a return to judicial independence in the country, says Rights & Democracy. Read more

01 October 2009: Chad: No place for us here: Violence against refugee women in eastern Chad

Women and girls from Darfur who have fled from Sudan to Chad in search of safety face rape and other violence on a daily basis, both inside and outside refugee camps. Read the report from Amnesty International

22 September 2009: Afghanistan: The lives of Afghan women-Photos

Photographer Paula Lerner takes a look at the day-to-day lives of women in Afghanista. View the photos

22 September 2009: Iran: Breaking taboo by talking about rape in prisons

A woman – referred to as Nina – spoke about the rape of detainees in the Islamic Republic’s prisons. Read more

16 September 2009: 21 Leaders for the 21st Century 2010

Women's eNews is currently accepting nominations for the 21 Leaders for the 21st Century 2010. Read more

16 September 2009: GEAR Resolution Passed by UN General Assembly

The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution today that takes the next step in the process of creating the new Women's Rights entity at the UN. Read the GEAR Talking Points on Adoption of System Wide Coherence Resolution by the UN General Assembly

16 September 2009: Afghanistan: Abuse of women

The report seeks to put back on the agenda some of the issues pertaining to the enjoyment of all human rights by all Afghan women that are being increasingly ignored. Read the report

09 September 2009: Iranian female protestor raped and burned

As the Iranian authorities continue to deny the truth of reports of the raping of political detainees, news has emerged of the horrific rape, killing, and secret burial of a young girl. The perpetrators are believed to be members of the security forces. Read more

07 September 2009: Israel and Palestine: Combatants for Peace

Since 2005, Cokbatants for Peace has organized meetings between Israeli and Palestinian veterans in which both sides tell about the violent actions that they have taken part in and about the turning point that led them to understand the limits of violence. Read their latest newsletter

03 September 2009: Million Acts of Peace

A Million Acts of Peace is a new international peace movement that is challenging one million people from around the world to commit to doing one act of peace. Read more