Powerful Rural Women in Turkana, Kenya
On a hot weekday morning about 100 people were meeting in a church in Kainuk, Kenya, a remote rural town on the border between the areas of Turkana and Pokot. Suddenly all the children sitting on the porch of the church took off like a startled flock of birds, running at breakneck speed away from the church. When their parents sitting inside the church saw their children in flight, they dashed after them. The meeting dissolved into chaos…
The Impact of Women’s Movements of the Democratic Transition in Chile and Argentina
Alyssa McGary follows the fall of dictatorship and rise of democracy in Chile and Argentina, emphasizing the role of social movements — especially the struggle for women’s suffrage and equal rights.
Priestess of the Green Gospel
In this issue’s editorial, Dr. Edith Natukunda-Togboa offers tam-tams and ululations as Professor Wangari Maathai joins the select club of Nobel Peace Laureates.
Putting money where are causes are: Fundraising for women’s groups facing the financial crisis
Few people remain unaffected by the recent economic crises, and small organizations dependent on foundations and fundraising efforts are in a particularly difficult position.
In this timely article, originally published by ON THE ISSUES magazine, Marion Banzhaf offers some welcome advice for women’s organizations in particular.
Security and Economic Development: Masculinized Goals for Post-Conflict Reconstruction
The end of an armed conflict is the starting moment of a new period that creates space for transforming institutions, structures and relationships within society. In such historical moments the actors of peace negotiations and peace building processes have the window of chance and responsibility to create a new society based on gender equality. However, in what Cynthia Enloe calls“the morning after”, when the guns are silent, the persistent militarization and promotion of masculinity continue in postwar societies, in both the public and private sphere. This paper will attempt to track such political processes and identify the tools and factors contributing to militarization and masculinization in post conflict societies. Moreover, this paper will highlight reasons for failing to consolidate women’s gains deriving from their war-time experience and to promote gender equality in peace building processes.
The Bright Side of Africa: Its Women
On a continent renowned for its AIDS pandemic and blood-thirsty warlords, this decade is seeing some bright spots emerge. And they’re all women.
The Female Islamic Combatant
Despite a history of female resistance in Islamic society, contemporary culture continues to enslave women, while fixed on an antiquated mode of thought. Katerina Standish takes a historical look at the barrier to equality for women in the context of combat and Islam. Standish is also the author of Human Security and Gender: Female Suicide Bombers In Palestine and Chechnya, the current Peace and Conflict Review article.
Realizing the Relevance and Power of Liberian Women: An Epiphany on the Road to Peace (1999-2005)
Horace P. Nagbe reflects on his gendered identity constructed while growing up in Liberia. He then gives an historical account of the country´s violent past which gave rise to a change in his superior male perception: the efforts of the Women in Peacebuilding Network. This group of women recognized the urgent need to bring peace to Liberia and while being suppressed and violated by the government who ignored the citizen´s call for peace, these women came together to pressure the government towards peaceful change. This group inspired the movie Pray the Devil Back to Hell and played a significant role in establishing democratic elections in Liberia.
RE: To Drive, or Not to Drive; Not a Question for Saudi Women
RE: To Drive, or Not to Drive; Not a Question for Saudi Women Author: Rob L. Wagner Originally Published at Peace and Conflict Monitor on: 02/10/2010 Dear Editor: I read with growing alarm Jaclyn Nardone’s essay entitled “To Drive, or Not to Drive; Not a Question for Saudi Women.” If this essay was meant […]
International Women’s Day, 2011: Time to Make the Promise of Equality a Reality
Michelle Bachelet, Executive Director of UN Women presents a message on gender equality and women’s rights in recognition of International Women’s Day, March 8, 2011.