Netsai 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. Netsai Mushonga is a development, women's rights, gender and peacebuilding consultant from Zimbabwe.
This video is part of a series of 10 personal stories from women and men from around the world who work on gender-sensitive peacebuilding within their own communities. These stories are part of the joint action research project ‘Candid Voices from the Field: Obstacles to Delivering Transformative Change within the Women, Peace and Security Agenda’, coordinated by the Women Peacemakers Program (WPP), the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC), and Cordaid. The aim is to uncover the deep-rooted issues that hamper women’s participation in peace efforts. Those interviewed participated in a global consultation meeting for the project that took place in The Hague from June 30 to July 2, 2015. The publication of our findings will be launched on October 23, 2015 in New York, coinciding with the anniversary of UNSCR 1325.
Read more about the Global Consultation
Read more about the Action Research
In 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. Anthony Keedi is the Engaging Men Program Manager for ABAAD - Resource Center for Gender Equality in Lebanon.
