On October 2, 2017, 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, organized an interactive event entitled “Financial Inclusion for Freedom and Security” in The Hague.
The event brought together 60 members of civil society, government, inter-governmental organizations, academics and the financial sector to discuss the implications of countering terrorism financing regulations (CTF) in the aftermath of the events of 9/11 on shrinking civil society space, and to formulate a set of policy recommendations. This report highlights the main points of the panel discussion as well as the policy recommendations set forth by the group.
DownloadThis consultation report provides the reader with brief background information on the issue of countering terrorism financing (CTF); its impacts on women’s civil society organizing in the MENA region; and key recommendations formulated by the participants during the consultation.
Tightening the Purse Strings: What Countering Terrorism Financing Costs Gender Equality and Security represents the culmination of research, interviews, surveys, and statistical analysis carried out by the International Human Rights Clinic at Duke University School of Law and the Women Peacemakers Program, to begin to fill this gap in understanding how responses to terrorism and violent extremism may in practice squeeze women’s rights and their defenders between terror and counter-terror. As a direct and indirect result of these rules, women’s rights organizations have lost critical access to resources, as well as the ability to fully use banking facilities, all of which circumscribe how, where, and in some cases, even if, women’s rights organizations can undertake their core work on mobilizing human rights, gender equality, and advancing the women, peace, and security agenda.
DownloadHold Your Peace, a film by the Women Peacemakers Program, highlights how responses to terrorism have, in practice, squeezed women’s rights organisations and their defenders between terror and counter-terror. As a direct and indirect result of these rules, women activists are increasingly facing NGO restrictions, have lost critical access to resources, as well as the ability to fully use banking facilities; all of which circumscribe how, where, and in some cases, even if, they can undertake their core work on mobilizing human rights, gender equality, and advancing peace in their communities.
MoreReflecting on the assassination of her friend, Hajer Sharief reveals the deeply personal nature of her peace activism. Looking beyond the role of women civil society organisations in the implementation of UNSCR 1325, she also discusses the importance of the inclusion of women at the political level and diplomatic level in Libya.
MoreRelating UNSCR 1325 implementation to the Iraqi context, Suzan Aref emphasizes the urgent need for policies that cater to the needs of women locally. For her, this means that the implementation addresses long-term strategies for peace as well as provides immediate support for women on the ground.
MoreJasmin Nario-Galace recounts how her childhood experiences with bullying and discrimination have fed her passion for peace and tolerance education. She emphasizes the importance of education for men and women as a tool to create and promote a culture of peace.
MoreThinking back on his first experiences with discrimination, Anand Pawar discusses the importance of applying feminist values in analyzing and dealing with injustices. When it comes to conflict, he says, feminist organizing and the adherence to principles of participation, justice, and nonviolence are more empowering to all involved.
MoreReflecting on the roots of her own activism, Sophie Toupin talks about media as a tool for development, empowerment and self-organization. She also looks at the importance of “the collective” in achieving social change, especially with regards to implementing the Women, Peace and Security agenda.
MoreNetsai Mushonga speaks on active nonviolence as an element of women’s activism for peace in this powerful video. She argues for a definition of peace that is not restricted to the absence of war, but also includes the elimination of militarization and violence in all levels of society.
MoreIn order to create sustainable peace, the discourse on security must be changed from the ‘power over’ to the ‘power with’ model, argues Anthony Keedi. He examines the current violent, patriarchal ways of dealing with conflict and argues for a better way forward that addresses the root causes of violence.
MoreReflecting on her origins in the women’s movement in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Karen McMinn discusses what this has taught her about women’s capacity to build bridges during conflict. She examines the main obstacles for women’s participation in decision-making processes and discusses the way forward. Karen McMinn is the Research Consultant on the action research ‘Candid Voices from the Field’, coordinated by the Women Peacemakers Program (WPP), the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC), and Cordaid.
MoreLooking back the disappearance of her son, a Sri Lankan military officer who was reported Missing in Action, Visaka Dharmadasa talks about how it shaped her drive to work for peace in her country. She speaks on the role of women peacemakers in situations of conflict and what will happen if the world adopts women’s definition of security.
MoreFrom March 9-20, 2015, the 59th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) took place at the UN Headquarters in New York. Besides participating in several lobby and advocacy meetings for a transformative Women, Peace and Security agenda, WPP organized and participated in three panel discussions. Get an impression of the panels from the pictures and make sure to read the press releases and policy briefs of the panels!
MoreWomen peace activists are at the heart of the recent events in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA); using innovative strategies for implementing a Women, Peace & Security agenda while facing multiple challenges of a rapidly changing society. During the panel discussion “Amplifying the Voices of Women in the MENA Region”, women peace activists from the MENA region expanded on the challenges and opportunities of implementing UNSCR 1325.
MoreThe Women Peacemakers Program (WPP) looks back at a fantastic Global Consultation on “Gender & Militarism: Analyzing the Links to Strategize for Peace”, with a lot of informed discussions, creative thinking, and energetic strategizing. This Consultation brought together almost 70 activists and academics from over 25 countries to discuss and analyze the links between gender & militarism. The Consultation took place from July 2-4 in Cape Town, South Africa.
MoreGet an impression of the Panel Discussion on "Involving Religious Leaders in Women's Rights Work. Innovative Challenges and Opportunities from the Field", jointly organized by the the Women Peacemakers Program (WPP), Cordaid, the City College of New York, ABAAD – Resource Center for Gender Equality, and the Ecumenical Women’s Initiative (EWI). The event took place during the 58th session of the Commission on the Status of Women in New York. View the photo's, read the quotes and get to know about the recommendations for the Post 2015 process!
MoreOn the occasion of the 13th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325, the Women Peacemakers Program (WPP), the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC) and Conciliation Resources organized a public event on gender, peace and security, hosted by the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the UN in New York. The event took place on October 30, 2013. Watch the video with the highlights here!
MoreTo celebrate May 24 – International Women’s Day for Peace and Disarmament – the WPP, in cooperation with Humanity House, organized the public event “Peace: Men & Women as Allies”. Over 15 activists, men and women from all over the world, shared their personal story on gender-sensitive active nonviolence from a masculinities perspective with a packed Humanity House. Get an impression of the event and the May 24 Pack launch!
MoreIn a response to women's voices in the field, the Women Peacemakers Program initiated a pilot Training of Trainers cycle for 19 male peace activists from 17 different countries in 2009 / 2010, entitled "Overcoming Violence: Exploring Masculinities, Violence, and Peacebuilding". Watch the video about the rationale of the Training of Trainers Cycle, as well as reflections of the trainees about the added value of the training.
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