Asia Consultation Gender & Militarism in Asia: Linking Regional Analysis to Local Practices

18 Dec '15

Blog by Merle Gosewinkel, WPP Senior Program Officer

"We need to change mindsets through peace education. War is a social construct. It’s not innate. We are not doomed to go to war. We need to delegitimize war as a means for resolving conflict." – Dr. Loreta Castro

From 7-9 December 2015, the Women Peacemakers Program together with the Center for Peace Education (Philippines) organized the Asia Consultation "Gender & Militarism in Asia: Linking Regional Analysis to Local Practices”, which took place in Manila, The Philippines. The consultation brought together 30 men and women from 9 different Asian countries, different Asian subregions, and various backgrounds: activists, academics, as well as representatives of indigenous communities.

During the 3 days, participants discussed different aspects of militarization in the Asia region, the effects and obstacles for women and human rights activists, as well as successful approaches to confront the rising militarization in the region and promoting nonviolent approaches to conflict prevention and resolution, linking it to critical academic research from the region. Topics of the sessions included:

Militarism and the link to the colonial heritage in the region, which has strongly influenced and shaped nationalist and gender ideologies, including violent forms of masculinities in many parts of Asia, and led to a general glorification of war.
How to counter religious extremism in Asia. In several parts of Asia, violent (religious) extremism has been on the rise, often linked to the position of anti-imperialism. The strong patriarchal structures of those groups have also led to a backlash for women’s rights in several countries. Several participants shared how they work with different groups such as youth, religious leaders and women to counter (religious) extremism in their context.
Weapons as drivers of war. Asian countries have become prominent in the list of the largest arms importers of weapons worldwide, which is closely linked to the rise in militarism across the region. With Western countries being the main exporters of weapons, this problem will need a global approach, where civil society works together across regions. Sharing experiences, participants highlighted the gendered effects of the proliferation of small arms in their countries, as well as the need for effective disarmament processes after armed conflicts.
Participants presented strategies on how to change militarized societies through peace education, asthere is a need for gender-sensitive peace education to promote nonviolent conflict prevention to tackle militarization in the region and challenge the hegemonic masculinities present in communities, laws and states. Sharing the example of the Philippines, participants discussed best practices on how to incorporate peace education in schools, promoting a culture of peace and gender equality.
Women activist shared their work on the topic of macroeconomics, gender and conflict. Recent economic development in the region has seen a massive shift in the nature of agricultural societies and their production, the privatization of resources, and the destruction of labor protection, which has been closely linked to (internal) violent conflicts. Participants emphasized the need to broaden the current development agenda, by pointing out the interlinkages between economic development, gender and conflict.

The consultation ended with a public event, which took place at the Marco Polo Ortigas Hotel in Manila. During this event, which was attended by policy makers, embassies and civil society, the consultation participants presented the outcomes of the discussions of the past three days. The event was opened by Secretary Teresita Quintos-Deles, the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process in the Philippines. Professor Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, Chair of the Government Peace Panel gave a response to the outcomes presented. In the upcoming weeks, key recommendations from the consultation will be formulated, and are expected to be published online early 2016.

12346320 763977133729912 7207755792821094017 n

"One-and-a-half decades of gender advocacy taught us that the gains from consciousness raising, street protests, and lobbying could all be undone if we did not sit at the table of decision-making. One-and-a-half decades of peace advocacy taught me that if we wanted to turn the instruments of war into instruments of peace, we also had to sit at the same table of power." -Secretary Teresita Quintos Deles, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process

News

Conference Report: "Financial Inclusion for Freedom and Security"

12 Dec '17 Today, we are pleased to share with you the Conference Report “Financial Inclusion for Freedom and Security” by the Women Peacemakers Program, Duke Law International Human Rights Clinic, Human Security Collective, Transnational Institute, the Charity & Security Network, in cooperation with the Knowledge Platform Security and Rule of Law.

After 20 years, WPP closes its doors

7 Dec '17 Today, on the 13th day of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence Campaign, we bring you the sad news that from 15 December onwards, the Women Peacemakers Program (WPP) will have to close its doors. We would like to ask for your time to read what has driven us to make this decision.

Event Summary: Pulling the Rug from Under Civil Society’s Feet - We Must Create Our Own Rugs!

7 Nov '17 On Thursday, 26 October 2017, a side event entitled, “Pulling the Rug from Under Our Feet: What is the UNSCR 1325 Without Civil Society Freedoms?” was hosted on the margins of the 17th anniversary of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325. The event was hosted by the Women Peacemakers Program (WPP) and the Dutch Mission, in collaboration with Duke Law’s International Human Rights Clinic, Al-Hayat Center for Civil Society Development, Arab Women Organisation of Jordan, NOVACT, Free Sight Association, Iraqi Al-Amal Association, Women Empowerment Organisation, NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security and Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom. This article briefly looks at the main issues discussed during the event.