Women, Peace and Security Include us, don't ... - World YWCA

MARCH 2009 | ISSUE 140A PUBLICATION OF THE WORLD YWCAfeature:Women, Peace and SecurityYoung women on the move:Include us, don’t patronise usYouth offer recommendations for UNSCR 1325hiv and aids:Reinterpreting Violence from the Perspectiveof Women Living with HIV

CC 2Contents03 | Editorial04 | YWCAs Around the WorldPeace with justice has always been an importantpriority for the World YWCA. In thissection, we highlight YWCAs working incountries that have been through conflict.HIV and aids18Reinterpreting Violence fromthe Perspective of Women Livingwith HIVFeature6Women,Peaceand Security:Human insecurities includinglack of social, political, economic andenvironmental security prevent womenfrom attaining gender equality andempowerment.Take Action11 | Keeping UNSCR 1325 alive:Ensuring women’s full participation inpeace-building and conflict resolution12 | Case studies: Post-election crisis inKenya and ZimbabweYoung Women on the Move14 | Include us, don’t patronise usYouth offer recommendations forUNSCR 1325Leading Change16Journey to lasting peace:When conflict inspires womento find solutions. How the YWCA of DRCchampioned UNSCR 1325Briefing20 | From the World YWCA23 | People23 | SupportersPresident: Susan Brennan General Secretary: NyaradzayiGumbonzvanda Editor: Kaburo Kobia Co-ordinators: SarahDavies, Sylvie Jacquat Distribution: Fiona Wilkie. Articles may befreely reproduced with acknowledgement to World YWCA CommonConcern ISSN 1025-4099. All artwork, images and photographyis protected by copyright and may not be reproduced withoutpermission. ©2008 World YWCA.Common Concern is published in French and Spanish, contactworldoffice@worldywca.org to order.On the Cover: Andrea Núñez Argote, YWCAIntern 2009 and Board Secretary for the YWCAof Naucalpan, Mexicowww.worldywca.org

CC 3EditorialSusan BrennanWorld YWCA PresidentWe are called to bepeace makers. Butpeace is not passivityand peace makingrequires strength, courage andpersistence. In the home, in themarketplace, in the village and in theworld, women’s safety demands oururgent attention. The statistics aregrim: one in three women worldwidewill be a victim of violence in herlifetime. YWCAs across the worldare responding by providing shelter,protesting against war, supportingwomen in conflict areas and urgingwomen’s participation in democracyand conflict resolution. This issue ofCommon Concern explores a key toolin our advocacy for a world free fromviolence: the United Nations SecurityCouncil Resolution 1325 on women,peace and security.In 2007, at the initiative of theYWCA of the Democratic Republicof Congo (DRC), the World YWCACouncil resolved to promote thisresolution, mandating our movementto educate ourselves and othersabout women’s right to participate inbuilding the peace.Pacific peace-advocate, SharonBhagwan Rolls, reminds us in thefeature article that security for womenis not just about living without war, butrequires us to be safe in private andin public. The YWCA of DRC explainsin the Leading Change section thatwomen must have access to decisionmakingto ensure their needs are metduring and after conflict. Our GeneralSecretary contributes to Take Action:women must realise that power is nevergiven; even where there are quotas onemust assert, affirm, negotiate, positionand present oneself as a leader.The stories in this issue illustratehow YWCAs are building leaderscommitted to creating a safe world,working with former female soldiersin Liberia, participating in peaceprotests in Colombia, supportingwomen in conflict zones in Georgiaand the Middle East, providing asafe place in Zimbabwe—every day,YWCAs are helping women live livesfree from violence.Building on this commitment, thechosen theme for the 2011 WorldYWCA Council is ‘Women Creatinga Safe World’. To be held in Zurich,Switzerland from July 10-16, 2011, theCouncil theme speaks to the very coreof our World YWCA vision—a fullyinclusive world where justice, peace,health, human dignity, freedom andcare for the environment are promotedthrough women’s leadership.Arundhati Roy 1 wrote: “I am notadvocating tolerance, or acceptance.There has been more than enoughof that. I’m advocating a war of noisybeauty, of voices raised, of stories told,of songs sung loudly in the streets.”The YWCA is a powerful chorusof women leading change—with ourwords, our actions, our service andour vision, we make a mighty song forpeace. •1 Arundhati Roy, from India, is a young femaleactivist and author of ‘The God of Small Things’.www.worldywca.org

CC 4YWCAs Aroundthe WorldPeace with Justice has always been an important priority for the World YWCA. For overone and a half centuries, the YWCA movement has been sensitive to the particular situationwomen and young women face during conflict and war. In this section, we highlightYWCAs working in countries that have survived conflicts the world has forgotten…Women in Georgia still in needThe conflict that broke out in South Ossetiabetween Russia and Georgia on August 8, 2008left a population of nearly 160,000 internallydisplaced, many of whom were women andchildren. The YWCA of Georgia mobilised to collect moneyand essential items for women and children that werethen distributed through kindergartens and schools in thecapital T’bilisi.Although the conflict is over, the consequences remain.“Instability, social problems and fear of future conflict arethe main concerns of Georgian women,” says Eka Avaliani,President of the YWCA of Georgia. “Many women live withoutany income as their husbands, brothers and fathers weremurdered during the conflict. There were no support servicesfor women when the country was engaged in war andhumanitarian access to affected areas has been limited.”The World YWCA urged women to be part of the peacenegotiations as recommended in the United NationsSecurity Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace andsecurity. UNSCR 1325 calls for women’s full participationin conflict resolution and the YWCA of Georgia continuesto call for women to be heard. “Peace is important for allwomen around the world and Georgian women are notexempt in this,” says Avaliani, ”Georgian women shouldhave the chance to choose a future for their state, families,children and themselves in a peaceful atmosphere.”Since the 1940s Colombians have lived with civilconflict motivated by differing ideologies of conservativeand liberal politics. “This provoked the creation ofguerilla and paramilitary groups who promised theywould seek equality and social justice, which has neverbeen achieved,“ says Judith Melo Barrera, President ofthe YWCA of Colombia. “Women are the most affectedby this conflict, which is reflected amongst the displacedpopulation. Many become widows because of the war.Women have to take on the paternal role in families andthis is why we ask for peace in Colombia.”The YWCA of Colombia has participated in all of thepeace marches promoted by Colombian civil society. “ Weconsider it our civic duty. Women in our association wantour efforts of promoting women’s rights to be visible to thecommunity and working with different community sectorsfor peace compliments the objectives of the YWCA,” saysBarrera.Women in Colombia want peaceThe world celebrated when Ingrid Betancourt and14 other hostages held in the Colombian junglefor up to ten years were rescued and freed in July2008. The YWCA of Colombia marched throughthe streets of Bogotá to commemorate the liberation of thehostages and call for peace in their country.Members of the YWCA of Colombia participate in a peaceful protest on thestreets of Bogotá. 2008www.worldywca.org

YWCAs Around the WorldCC 5Participants at a joint youth conference on peace building hosted by YWCAs of Japan and Korea.Youth hold key to peace in JapanThe YWCA of Japan is a defender of peace. As theonly country to experience the devastation of twoatomic bombs, the association is committed topeace education throughout Japan and the world.The YWCA of Japan Peace Education Fund supportsnational peace programmes that involve cooperation andparticipation from YWCA’s international networks. “The fundwas launched to promote peace building with the visionof the world as one community and to spread the peacemessage to youth through various programmes,“ says Dr.Mayako Ishii, President of the YWCA of Japan.Through the fund, a number of initiatives evolvedincluding a ‘Pilgrimage to Hiroshima’ that involved over80 youth from YWCA of China, Korea, Palestine and manyinternational students. Participants shared and developedideas for building world peace. “The YWCA of Japaninvolves youth for a more powerful peace movementworldwide.” Other initiatives include youth conferences,internships, and volunteer opportunities.Women are at the heart of YWCA of Japans peaceprogrammes. “Women are still marginalised in manysocieties and Japan is no exception. Unless women are atthe decision-making table, women continue to be at risk offacing violations of human rights. That is why peace is thevery first priority of YWCA of Japan.”From the archivesWhen the United States of Americaentered World War I, the YWCA USAjoined the United War Work Campaignto raise and distribute funds to aidwar relief efforts. As the only women’sorganisation in the Campaign, theYWCA’s charge was to meet the specialneeds of women and girls affectedby the war. The YWCA raised money,recruited war workers and run IndustrialWar Service Centres or ‘blue triangle’houses. The centres provided a safespace for working women and servedaround 3,000 women during the war.Ref: YWCA of the U.S.A. Records, Sophia SmithCollection, Smith College, Northampton, Mass.Journal of Women’s History, Vol 19 No.2, pg 97. 2007www.worldywca.org

CC 6FeatureWOMEN, PEACEand SECURITYSecurity Council Resolution 1325 was passed unanimously on October 31, 2000.Resolution (S/RES/1325) is the first resolution ever passed by the Security Council thatspecifically addresses the impact of war on women, and women’s contributions to conflictresolution and sustainable peace.When it comes to gender,traditional notions ofsecurity and conflictreflect only a narrowreality for women. Human insecuritiesincluding lack of social, political,economic and environmental securityprevent women from attaining genderequality and empowerment. Whenthere is a lack of security—womenand girls bear the brunt of the crisis.The impact of conflict, war, povertyand even economic crisis on women isoften disproportionate.So, on October 31, 2000, whenthe United Nations Security Counciladopted Resolution 1325 on Women,Peace and Security it was regarded asgroundbreaking, not only in content butas proof of the achievements that arepossible when NGOs, the UN systemand member states work together.The UN Security CouncilResolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325) putsthe spotlight on three critical areaswhen it comes to gender equalityin the context of conflict, peace andsecurity: Participation, Prevention andProtection. These 3Ps clearly addressthe constant under-representation ofwomen in formal peace processes,how women can contribute topreventing war and conflict and thespecific needs of women and girlsduring conflict.ParticipationWhen women face violencein the home and communitythey often do not have theenergy to fully participatein peace building at thenational, provincial or eventhe local committee level.Since the feminization of povertybecomes even more pronounced inpost conflict economies, potentialfemale leaders may be put offparticipating in the transformativeprocesses of reconstruction andrebuilding communities as they caterto basic needs of their families.Ultimately, the full and equalparticipation of women during thepeace building processes starts withintervention, funding and technicalsupport for women that allows themto both participate and meet theirbasic survival needs. But to bridgethe participation gap, women mustbe involved in political process beforeconflict breaks out.Too often women’s opinion onpeace and security are not heardbecause they are excluded fromthe process or their contributionsand opinions are devalued. Toovercome these obstacles, women’sparticipation must be deliberatelysought, perhaps through a quotasystem, targeted consultations, theestablishment or strengthening ofWomen’s Ministries or Departmentsand the appointment of female judges,police and law reform authorities.Women’s formal politicalparticipation in decision-makingat the vital stage of peace buildingdemands more than having women asobservers in decision-making fora andit constitutes more than a few womencandidates standing for elections.Gender justice and equality principlesshould be enshrined in constitutionaland legal reforms, multi-party systemsand election processes. Once womenare participating in public life, theyshould be included in decision-makingabout issues beyond gender; theyshould also be included in discussionsabout security and resource allocation.www.worldywca.org

FeatureCC 7In order to adequately protectwomen and girls, governments shouldensure gender sensitivity training ofsecurity sector personnel and utilisetools such as gender-based earlywarningindicators.It is critical that government troopand police engage gender experts andexpertise to be included in all levelsand aspects of peace operations,including in technical surveys, thedesign of concepts of operation,training, staffing and programmes. Inaddition, protection must be extendedto female officers and police.Community police initiatives canalso be enhanced through regularengagement with women’s groups,and the recruitment of women withexpertise and life experience incommunity policing programmes.Participants at a workshop on women peace and human security display a poster they created on thetheme My Life, My Issues, My Peace. Nadi, Fiji.Gaps and opportunitiesfor actionPreventionFor women, more guns doesnot mean more security.Through women’s eyes, thereis a broader notion of security– one that is defined in human,rather than in military terms.Women who are most affectedby guns often have the best ideasabout how to remove them from thecommunity. After all, can women reallyexperiencing peace when arms arestill present in society?The masculinity of militarisationand the need to promote ‘soft power’as an alternative to current styleof decision-making must be takeninto account. Advocates of UNSCR1325 have to recognise the needto be vigilant and proactive aboutinfluencing the regional humansecurity agenda, especially at nationallevel. It is time that governmentsharmonise UNSCR 1325 with national,state and local legislation.YWCAs and the women’smovement must together reaffirmthat militarisation does not bringpeace or security—not to ourworld or our nations, not to ourcommunities and not into our homes.We have to find alternatives. Theconsequences of women’s exclusionand marginalisation pose a significantthreat to sustainable human security.In order to prevent war and conflict, weneed women’s perspective for peaceat all times.ProtectionWhen war, conflict or unrestdo occur, UNSCR 1325 callson member states to respectinternational law regardingthe rights and protection ofwomen and girls, especiallyas civilians. Women and girlsare often targets for sexualviolence and abuse duringconflict.Eight years on, despite theconsistent call for UN memberstates to develop clear strategiesand action plans “with goals andtimetables on the integration ofgender perspectives in humanitarianoperations, rehabilitation andreconstruction”, there remain gaps inthe implementation of UNSCR 1325.As such, the UN Secretary-General’s October 13, 2004 report onthe Resolution requests member statesto develop National Action Plans (NAP).The National Action Plan processidentifies gaps in knowledge,provides opportunities for informationsharing and training and generatescommitment and ownership.The result is a coordinatedgovernmental approach that has thefull support of civil society actors.Effective collaboration betweenDepartments of Foreign Affairs withthe women’s machinery as well asmilitary and police in the developmentand implementation of NAPs is a cleardemonstration that governments aretaking gender equality commitmentsseriously.www.worldywca.org

CC 8featureUNSCR 1325 is not an impractical wish list, but a range of recommendations which canassist UN member states make good on gender equality commitments based on women’sexperiences and realitiesNAPs assist governments inestablishing a comprehensiveand coordinated approach, raisethe awareness of analytical andoperational personnel, enhance theownership and accountability of allstaff to the government’s commitmentand support efforts at monitoring andevaluation.AdvocacyAnd so when it comes to it,women’s participation, the protectionof women and girls and incorporatingUNSCR 1325 in peacekeeping andpeace support operations still have along way to go.The global women’s movement,in particular international networkssuch as the World YWCA and the NGOWorking Group on Women, Peaceand Security provide an importantopportunity for women of the globalsouth, in particular, to link theiraspirations and visions for peace andinform the deliberations and workof the UN Security Council. Suchtransnational collaboration can, forexample, assist UN member states todeliver their final and tested NationalAction Plan to the 10th anniversarysession of the Human Rights Council inOctober 2010.Transnational collaboration is alsoimportant to assist in mobilising thenecessary financial and technicalresources to assist women advancetheir visions for peace into the policyarena.UNSCR 1325 is not animpractical wish list, but a range ofrecommendations which can assistUN member states make good ongender equality commitments basedon women’s experiences and realitiesnot only during the conflicts, but alsoin the contest of conflict prevention. Byenabling and contribution to NationalAction Plans, making the linkages withthe implementation of CEDAW, theBeijing Platform for Action as well asthe Millennium Development Goals,women can partner to ensure a worldwith peace and security for all.By Sharon Bhagwan Rolls –Coordinator, femLINKPACIFIC(www.femlinkpacific.org.fj)Sharon is the founding member offemLINKPACIFIC: Media Initiatives forWomen. She hasbeen a memberof the YWCA ofFiji since 1986,which has been theinspiration of herwork as a mediapractitioner andcommunicator aswell as in her faithjourney.For more on UNSCR 1325 visit:www.peacewomen.orgwww.iwtc.orgwww.femlinkpacific.org.fj/Security through a woman’s eyesEcelini Weleilakeba64, FijiActivelyinvolvedwith theYWCA ofFiji since the 1960s,Ecelini was the onlyFiji delegate to the2003 World YWCACouncil in Brisbane and led the Fijidelegation to the 2007World Council inNairobi. She has served as Treasurer,Vice President and Interim President ofYCWA of Fiji.What does it mean to live withconflict/war?Living with coups in Fiji, meansliving with uncertainty making it difficultto make plans and commit funds toplans. It also means one has to be morecareful of what one says and to whomand there are new challenges to testour communications skills.What indigenous process/practice can bring peace orprevent conflict?There are traditional practices andprocesses of communication that aremainly non-confrontational. In Fiji anexample is the practice of veisiko orvisit, similar to an appointment throughwhich discussions can take place in anenabling environment.How can women contribute topeace building?Women can contribute byfocusing on building the capacity oftheir families and communities andcontinuing to be actively engagedin promoting dialogue and keepingcommunication lines open within theircommunities. It is important, thoughdifficult, to continue with club activities.After the 2000 coup in Fiji, in the spiritwww.worldywca.org

FeatureCC 9of veisiko, a group of women leadersvisited the Commander of the Militaryat the military camp to discuss withhim their grievances concerningthe coup—it was a peaceful visitdemonstrating how women cancommunicate peacefully.What do you want to see yourgovernment do differently?I would like to see the governmentdemonstrate the political will to listenseriously to the voice of women andyouth, respectfully acknowledge therole of women and youth and valuetheir skills and talent in the process ofnation building.Korpu Yarkpa30, LiberiaFor nearly 14 years, Liberiawas engaged in several civilwars. More than 200,000people were killed duringthe conflict. Korpu, barely 11 years oldwhen the war started, was among theover 30,000 women and girls who tookarms during the civil wars. She is nowa seamstress and beneficiary of theYWCA of Liberia female combatantsrehabilitation programme.What does it mean to live withconflict/war?I come from Bong County, Liberia.My life before the war was at leastbetter because my parents weretaking care of my schooling and mywellbeing. During the war, my first roleas a female combatant was to preparefood for combatants on the front-lineand then eventually I took arms andbecame a real female combatant.What motivated you to become acombatant?The most vivid memory I have of thewar was how I lost my oldest brotherwho kept our home in order. He wasbeheaded right before my eyes andthis is why I became a combatant…to protect my mother. My mother wasreally affected by the war, she lost heroldest son who was not a soldier orcombatant and she had to leave herhome to find a place to live. On herreturned, her house was burnt down.She had nothing left.How did being a combatantaffect your life?My ten years as a combatantwas all wasted time. I ended up in aposition where I learning nothing. Ona day-to-day basis I had to answer tothe calls of all General Commandersin any way they needed me. My ordealcame to an end when I realised thatmy peers were improving their livesand becoming better citizens and Iwas not.How has your life changedsince the end of the war?I have been fully rehabilitationinto my community through theYWCA of Liberia programme. I haveparticipated in the skills training andlearnt tailoring.What do you want to see yourgovernment to do differently?What should have been doneto improve the peace buildingprocess in Liberia was to allow allfemale combatants to go throughrehabilitation centers so as to recoverpsychologically from the effects ofarmed conflict. Today, I see my countryLiberia as a good country, sincethe war, things have improved andeveryone now knows that war is not ananswer to any problem.Arda Aghazarian28, PalestineFor mostyoungpeople,a lifeunder occupation isunimaginable. Forthe young peopleof Palestine, it is a daily reality. Arda,World YWCA Board member andYWCA of Palestine member for overseven years shares her experience.How long have you lived witharmed conflict?Since and before I was born.My parents also grew up in anenvironment of conflict, as did mygrandparents before them. It willprobably last for a while…How does this affect you as ayoung woman?One of the big effects of a conflictenvironment is that there is nomomentum. There’s always the fearthat something might happen and ruinall plans; that fear isn’t coming fromnowhere. It’s difficult to plan ahead ormove forward in such an environment,as things are always changing one wayor another and influencing one’s life.Are there any positive outcomesof growing with conflict?It forces individuals to deal withreality. There is unfortunately not muchchoice around it, but conflict enhancesone’s survival instincts, levels of copingas well as not taking so much forgranted.What one thing would you liketo change to improve yoursituation?Not letting actions and reactionsbased on racism pass before my eyeswithout acting.How do you think young womencan best contribute to the causeof peace?In their knowledge, persistence andraising awareness regarding the rightto live in peace and justice despite allthe craziness and troubles around.www.worldywca.org

CC 10featureSimplified version of UNSCR 1325 onwomen, peace and security prepared by theInternational Women’s Tribune Centre12345678Increase the number of women at decisionmakinglevels in national, regional andinternational institutions involved in preventing,managing, and resolving conflicts.Increase participation of women at decisionmakinglevels in conflict resolution and peaceprocesses.Provide women candidates from a regularupdated,centralised roster for appointment asspecial representatives and envoys to facilitate theappointment of more women in these positions.Expand the numbers and roles of women in UNfield operations, such as military observers,civilian police, human rights and humanitarianpersonnel.Ensure that a gender component is included infield peacekeeping operations.Provide training guidelines and materials on(1) the protection, rights, and needs of women,(2) the importance of involving women inpeacekeeping and peace-building measures,and (3) HIV/AIDS awareness in national trainingprograms for military police, civilian police andcivilian peacekeeping personnel.Increase voluntary financial, technical andlogistical support for gender-sensitive training.Adopt a gender perspective when negotiating andimplementing peace agreements in areas like:» Special needs of women and girls duringrepatriation and resettlement and forrehabilitation, reintegration and post-conflictreconstruction.» Support local women’s peace initiatives andindigenous processes for conflict resolutionand involve women in all of the peaceagreement implementation mechanisms.» Ensure the protection of and respect for humanrights of women and girls, particularly relatingto the constitution, electoral system, the policeand judiciary.www.worldywca.org91011121314151617Respect international law regarding the rightsand protection of women and girls, especially ascivilians, during armed conflicts.Take special measures to protect women andgirls from gender-based violence, particularlyrape and other forms of sexual abuse andviolence in situations of armed conflict.Put an end to impunity and prosecute thoseresponsible for genocide, crimes againsthumanity, war crimes, including those relatingto sexual and other violence against women andgirls, and exclude these crimes from amnestyprovisions.Respect the civilian and humanitarian characterof refugee camps and settlements and, in theirdesign, take into account the particular needs ofwomen and girls.Consider the different needs of female and maleex-combatants in the planning for disarmament,demobilization and reintegration and take intoaccount the needs of their dependants.Give consideration to the potential impact ofUN Charter Article 41 on the civilian population,keeping in mind appropriate humanitarianexemptions and the special needs of women.Ensure the Security Council missions take intoaccount gender considerations and the rightsof women, including through consultations withlocal and international women’s groups.Conduct a study on (1) the impact of armedconflict on women and girls, (2) the role ofwomen in peace-building and (3) the genderdimensions of peace processes and conflictresolutions. Submit the results to the SecurityCouncil and make the study available to all UNMember states.Report progress to the Security Council ongender main-streaming throughout peacekeepingmissions and all other aspects relating to womenand girls.

CC 12Take Actionpolitical will backed-up with knowledge,skills and gender perspectives thatbring a qualitative contribution toconflict prevention, negotiations andpeace building.Secondly, it is also clear that womenmust accept that power is never given—even where there is a quota system,one has to assert, affirm, negotiate,position and present oneself as a leader.Therefore, growing and nurturing theleadership of women lies at the heart ofimplementing these resolutions. Thirdly,it is about resources. Implementingthese resolution demands financialresources, time, skills and expertise.Investments in women and girls inpeace building means a consciousapproach for resource prioritisation bythe various actors and communities.Lastly, the human rights ofwomen and men must be affirmed.Acknowledging the life long yearningfor humanity to live a life with dignity,in safety and with security, withthe necessary freedoms and theaccompanying responsibilities, iscrucial in ensuring internationalinstruments on peace and justice areeffectively implemented.The YWCA as a movement, foundedon Christian basis, continues to affirmthe mystery of creation, the uniquenessof being and the complimentary of lifeforms. Our nations lose direction whenthe spirit within is suppressed andnot nurtured, egos become the being,power to dominate creates strife andconflict. We must continue to reachdeep within for the spirit of sharing,respect and giving.By Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda,World YWCA General SecretaryCase studies:Post-electioncrisis in Kenyaand ZimbabweIn 2008, Kenya and Zimbabwe held general elections that endedin violence and instability. The YWCA movement responded withcompassion and a sense of urgency. This extract, from a reportby Hélène Yinda, Regional Director for Africa and the MiddleEast, on the World YWCA’s response to post-election conflict inKenya and Zimbabwe identifies the actions taken immediatelyfollowing the elections.Struggle forsurvival in ZimbabweIn Zimbabwe, political violencecharacterised the March 2008general elections and theensuing June run-off election.The context in Zimbabwe wasexacerbated by the dire economicsituation and lack of political spacein Zimbabwe before the electionsas well as the targeted internationalsanctions imposed on the country forseveral years.In response to the post-electioncrisis, which lasted six months,international aid and interventionswere restricted in the country.Nevertheless, the World YWCAbegan working with the YWCA ofZimbabwe even before the electionsgiving special support in responseto the economic crisis. The YWCA ofZimbabwe received an invitation toofficially observe the election and theWorld YWCA encouraged the YWCAof Zimbabwe to integrate advocacyinto their services work. Nearly 100YWCA members were trained andinvolved in the observation. Anxiousfor the safety of their members, theYWCA of Zimbabwe communicatedwww.worldywca.org

Take ActionCC 13their fears and insecure situation theywere operating in with the World YWCA.As the elections drew close, theWorld YWCA received frequent updatesfrom the YWCA of Zimbabwe andthe Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe.Updates were detailed and informative,even providing statistics at variousstages of the election process. Thisimportant information helped providea basic understanding of the situationof woman and girls in the country fromwhich the World YWCA could help tosupport strategic planning.The World YWCA invited twoZimbabweans to Geneva, a YWCAmember from the rural area and ayoung woman from the Girl ChildNetwork, to share their experience at aWorld YWCA parallel event during theUnited Nations Human Rights Council.Their individual experiences presentedto the UN and the Ecumenicalcommunity in Geneva helped elaboratethe difficult experiences of women andgirls throughout Zimbabwe.Women and girlsdisplaced in KenyaKenyans were not preparedfor the magnitude of thepost-election violence thattook place in January andFebruary 2008. Prior to the elections,the YWCA of Kenya had alreadyexperienced working with generalelections; they had facilitated trainingson women and civic education. WorldYWCA General Secretary, NyaradzayiGumbonzvanda was visiting Kenyaduring the general elections. Whenviolence broke out, she was able towork with the YWCA of Kenya to assesshow they could join with the women’smovement to contribute to peacebuilding in the post-election crisis.As Regional Director for Africaand the Middle East, I then made amission trip to Kenya in January andjoined the YWCA of Kenya in carryingout a Rapid Needs Assessment inpartnership with the Kenya Red CrossSociety to determine needs of womenNyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, World YWCA General Secretary speaks with Raila Odinga, current KenyanPrime Minister, then presidential rival, during the Living Letters solidarity visit at which the YWCA broughtthe voice of women to political leaders. February 2008 (c) Juan Michel / WCCand children in camps for InternallyDisplaced Persons (IDPs), includingYWCA premises serving as shelter.Understanding what women were goingthrough in their homes, communitiesand especially in the camps forinternally displaced people, helped usassess the specific needs of women.As a movement, the YWCA did notexpect that the crisis would becomeso deeply entrenched. As the violencecontinued and the situation worsened,Gumbonzvanda and Geeske Zanen,World YWCA Board member, madea subsequent visit with the WorldCouncil of Churches Living LettersSolidarity team. Equipped with thestories and demands from womenand youth, Gumbondzvanda, Zanenand Mwajuma Abok, National GeneralSecretary of the YWCA of Kenya, wereable to bring women’s voice to themediation table.The advocacycontinuesThe World YWCA also includedYWCA members from Kenya andZimbabwe in its delegation to theAfrican Union Pre-Summit meeting inSharm el Sheikh, Egypt in June 2008.These members brought the women’sexperiences in Kenya and Zimbabweto the regional policy-making level.In both the case for Kenya andZimbabwe, the World YWCA actedas a catalyst and a facilitator, guidedby the 2007 World YWCA CouncilResolution on CEDAW and UNSCR1325. It was evident however thathaving a resolution is one thing, andbuilding the necessary strategy andplan for emergency response demandsa high level of commitment, resourcesand skills. The lessons learnt andexperience can feed into interventionsin other regions as they arise.By Hélène Yinda, RegionalDirector for Africa and theMiddle Eastwww.worldywca.org

CC 14Young Womenon the MoveInclude us,don’t patronise usYouth offer recommendationsfor UNSCR 1325Lotaya Smith, YWCA of Barbados young Board Member and Police Constable of theRoyal Barbados Police Force, delivered the final recommendations from the youth delegates.In this piece, Lotaya reflects on her experience in Liberia and the importance ofyoung women’s leadership in peace building.The International Colloquium provided anopportunity for young women and men fromaround the world to share ideas and makerecommendations for peace and security in thecontext of the United Nations Security Council Resolution1325. To ensure that young women understand theirrights and can fully participate in peace building, theyouth called for UNSCR 1325 to be translated into morelanguages noting that versions appropriate for illiterategroups must be developed.Our recommendations for peace andsecurity emphasised that police andjustice services must respond to theexperiences of young women duringand after armed conflict.An increasing number of young women serve in militaryand police forces, indeed UNSCR 1325 calls for morewomen to serve in these institutions. Yet sexual harassmentand violence are prevalent. A 2004 study of United Statesveterans from Vietnam and all US wars since found that71 percent of women surveyed said they were sexuallyassaulted or raped while in the military 1 . With no legalrecourse, girls and young women within non-governmentalmilitary organisations face even more difficulties. Oftenused as ‘wives’, they face double stigma once the conflict isover: as former soldiers and as women. The UN admits thatthe phenomenon of girl soldiers is globally under-reportedand overlooked. It is therefore vital for young women to beconsulted during evidence gathering for gender responsivepolice and justice systems.In relation to women’s leadership, we recommendedinvestment starts in young women’s leadership throughtraining, mentoring, sports programmes and creating safespaces. We also felt it was crucial to provide positive gendersocialisation for men and boys for shared responsibilities indecision-making and caregiving. Young women’s leadershipis essential to economic empowerment, peace and security,education, climate justice, women’s empowerment andgender equality.1 Benedict, Helen. The private war of women soldiers. Salon.com published03.07.2007www.worldywca.org

young women on the moveCC 15Lotaya Smith (l) YWCA of Barbados, Rachael Clapson (c) YWCA England and Wales and Ambar Aleman (r) YWCA Canada during the InternationalColloquium on Women’s Empowerment, Leadership Development, International Peace and Security in Monrovia, Liberia. March 2009.The Colloquium was truly a success. The forums wereinformative and productive and created the opportunity forwomen of all social strata in Liberian society and the world toshare experiences, views and ideas on how to tackle urgentwomen’s issues. The themes discussed at the Colloquiumwere interrelated: issues that built on global human rightslinked with development obligations and commitments.The Colloquium profiled strong women leaders fromaround the world and highlighted that women’s leadershipis in good hands. Personally, the Colloquium helped mebreak out of my shell by interacting with inspirational,dynamic and charismatic young women.I applaud the World YWCA and the Colloquium coconvenersfor keeping the issues of young women on theagenda and showcasing the vision and leadership of youngwomen to the world.I was honoured to participate at the Colloquium becauseI have truly been enriched and enlightened by the few days Ispent with the dynamic women of the world and will alwayscherish the experience.The youth recommendations conclude with a passionatecall to women leaders, which I restate here: “Young womeninvite you to protect us, but not smother us. Weep with us,but do not pity us. Educate us, but do not judge us. Includeus, do not patronise us. Give us space to make our ownmistakes. Listen to us. Trust us. Respect us. Invest in us.Whatever you say here, act on it. Whatever promises youmake, deliver on them. Lead by example today: createspace for young women’s voices; mentor a young woman;greet and talk with young people around you. Rememberwhen you were young. As women, let us empower andencourage each other.”Over 70 young women and men fromaround the world attended the youthforum co-hosted by the World YWCAduring the International Colloquium onWomen’s Empowerment, LeadershipDevelopment, International Peace andSecurity in Liberia held from March 7 - 8.www.worldywca.org

CC 16Leading ChangeJourney to lasting peace:When conflict inspireswomen to find solutionsHow the YWCA of DRC championed UNSCR 1325At the World YWCA Council 2007, the YWCA of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)introduced a motion to adopt a resolution that would mandate the YWCA movement toeducate its members on UNSCR 1325, promote it within the community and lobby theirgovernment to implement its recommendations. In this section, we learn what inspiredthe YWCA of DRC to advocate for women, peace and security.The Rwandan genocidebroke out in 1994, resultingin more than 1 millioncasualties in only a fewweeks. To date, the aftermath hasleft Rwanda and its neighbouringcountries (the Democratic Republicof Congo, Burundi, Uganda andTanzania) unstable with thousandsof displaced people, and violence,including gang rapes, common.Estimates indicate a death toll of 3million over the last decade.The YWCA of DRC was createdin this context in 2001, with avision of contributing to peace anddevelopment in the country throughwomen’s leadership. The first concernof the association was to increasewomen’s representation at all levelsof decision-making starting with theirparticipation in the country’s generalelection process. With the support ofpartner organisations, the YWCA ofDRC initiated a programme to mobiliseand educate women and girls on theprinciples of democracy, before andafter the election process.The implementation of theprogramme revealed two major facts:illiteracy, harmful traditional beliefs,poverty and economic dependenceare some of the numerous barrierspreventing women from accessingleadership positions and women andgirls need to be protected duringgeneral elections.The YWCA of DRC invited theWorld YWCA to act as an internationalobserver of the elections andparticipate in implementing themobilisation programme to educatewomen and girls on democracy. Butthe World YWCA did not have anofficial position—in the form of a WorldYWCA Council resolution—on UNSCR1325 and therefore could not initiatesuch a mission for the elections.The YWCA of DRC realised that itwould be relevant for the World YWCAto adopt a resolution on UNSCR 1325as a tool to advocate for women’s fullparticipation at all levels of decisionmakingthus enabling them to findsolutions for their own safety. Theassessment of this work encouragedthe YWCA of DRC to initiate a new planof action that centred on advocatingfor the implementation of UNSCR 1325on women, peace and security.After building awareness andlobbying for support with YWCAs inAfrica, the YWCA of DRC submitteda resolution to the World YWCACouncil that addressed the process ofconflict resolution and building lastingpeace according to UNSCR 1325. Theresolution was adopted unanimouslyat the World Council in Nairobi, Kenyain July 2007.The World YWCA has since startedusing UNSCR 1325 in its advocacy.In December 2008, following aninitiative of the YWCA of DRC and inpartnership with the YWCA of Goma,www.worldywca.org

Hiv and aidsCC 19Violence can reduce a woman’s options for negotiating condom use with her partner; in abusive relationships, speaking about safe sex can put a woman at risk.4 out of 20 studies report that womenin the study experienced violenceas a consequence of reporting theresults of the HIV test, on average 8%,between 3.2% and 24%; and someauthors indicate that women with ahistory of physical or sexual violenceare more probable to suffer violenceas a result of reporting their [HIV]condition. 2 In LAC we frequently hearthat the partner usually humiliatesthem, accusing them of infidelity,telling them that they are no longergood for anything, and that they donot love them. Others report thatthey abuse them sexually as a wayof punishment. The violence facedby WLHA with our partners is notexclusive to heterosexual relations andcan take similar expressions in samesexcouples.Inability to NegotiateSafe SexViolence also reduces our optionsfor negotiating condom use withour partner because in relationsmarked by violence, speaking aboutsafe sex puts us at risk of sufferingfurther assaults, and even losing our2 WHO. 2003. Gender Dimensions of HIV Disclosureto Sexual Partners: Rates Barriers andOutcomes. Geneva.lives. The lack of power exposes usto infection and to re-infection: “Nothaving learned to negotiate the useof condom, we are exposed to reinfections.”Violence also reduces ourcapacity to perceive the risk or elsewhen we do, we are unable to protectourselves against re-infection, thecontraction of other STIs as well asunwanted pregnancies.Violence in the relationship isone of the main obstacles to thedevelopment of women because itdisturbs our lives; it diminishes selfrelianceand affects our self-esteem.Furthermore, it limits participationin public life, restricts choices, andimposes restrictions on informationand services, while constituting anabuse of our rights.Similar to women who do not livewith the virus, WLHA do not seek helpbecause we feel shame or lack ofconfidence; or we face more violenceif we do. We consider violence in therelationship as something private,believing that we do not have anyalternative; we focus on the children orhope that the partner will change.By Nizarindandi Picasso.Picasso holds a degree inLanguages and Literature ofHispanic Languages. CurrentManager of the Office of Womenand HIV of the Initiative ofHealth Policies, Mexico City.Member of the InternationalCommunity of Women Livingwith HIV (ICW/Mexico).nizza_picasso@yahoo.com.mxExtract from: ‘The Multiple Faces of theIntersections between HIV and ViolenceAgainst Women’ 2008Published by: Development Connections,UNIFEM, Pan American HealthOrganization, Inter-American Commissionof Women and the Latin Americanand Caribbean Women’s HealthNetworkwww.worldywca.org

CC 20BriefingFrom the World YWCAInternational Women’s Day:World YWCA calls for end toViolence against WomenThe World YWCA partnered with ecumenicalorganisations to host a tray lunch at theEcumenical Centre in Geneva to discuss violenceagainst women in the context of faith, youngwomen’s leadership and HIV and AIDS in commemoration ofInternational Women’s Day, March 8.World YWCA Communications Assistant Sarah Daviesspoke on the role youth leadership plays in eliminatingviolence against women and girls stating, “Young people arekey to changing age old attitudes and behaviours that havereinforced violence against women and girls is acceptable.”World YWCA Deputy General Secretary Natalie Fisher-Spalton also participated in a panel on ‘Safe SchoolEnvironment for the Girl Child Through a Human RightsEducation Perspective’ at the Tenth Session of the UNHuman Rights Council. “We all know education is key to allforms of development. Education is freedom. Yet violence isa major barrier to education for millions of girls across theglobe. The prevalence of violence against girls affects boththeir human right to education and their rights in education,“said Fisher Spalton.Natalie Fisher-Spalton, World YWCA Deputy General Secretary,addresses participants during the International Women’s Colloquium,Liberia. March 2009The World YWCA released a statement for InternationalWomen’s Day that called on governments, internationalorganisations and civil society to:1. Prevent violence, ensure safety and security for womenand girls2. Invest in women and girls3. Redefine gender stereotypes4. Understand intersectionality of HIV and violence againstwomenCSW: World YWCA offersrecommendations forcaregiving in the context of HIVand AIDSAWorld YWCA delegation led by World YWCAPresident Susan Brennan participated atthe fifty-third session of the United NationsCommission on the Status of Women (CSW) inNew York from March 2-14. The theme for the session was‘The equal sharing of responsibilities between women andmen, including caregiving in the context of HIV/AIDS’.The World YWCA submitted a joint statement to thecommission identifying five key areas UN member statesmust consider in order to effectively address HIV and AIDSand the impact caregiving has on women. The delegationadvocated for these areas to be addressed and most of theissues around investing in women caregivers and financingheath system were reflected in the final outcome document.One of the objectives for World YWCA’s participation atCSW was to lift the voice of grassroots women. JacquelineMukamusana, General Secretary of the YWCA of Rwanda,spoke on a UNIFEM sponsored panel on caregiving and HIVand AIDS alongside government ministers and field experts.“The tendency to rely on women for care greatly reducestheir access to opportunities for education and decent work,”Mukamusana explained as she elaborated on how YWCA ofRwanda empowers women and girls in the community.In partnerships with YWCA Canada, the WorldYWCA hosted a well-attended side event on preventingviolence against women and also convened the firstyouth organisations caucus in partnership with the Worldwww.worldywca.org

BriefingCC 21Guests at the YWCA of Jordan candlelight vigil held in response to YWCA of Palestine’s call for solidarity during the three-week war in Gaza. January 2009Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS). Inaddition, the YWCA of Nigeria held a successful event onthe girl-child and caregiving.The delegation of over 20 women and young womenincluded World YWCA Board members Lady Comfort Aniand Jessica Notwell, World YWCA staff including GeneralSecretary Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, CommunicationsDirector Kaburo Kobia and Asia Pacific Programme DirectorJuli Dugdale. Ar Ram Lee (YWCA of Korea) and MargaretNakakande (YWCA of Uganda) served as short term internsfor the event. The delegation included representatives fromYWCAs of Australia, Canada, Finland, USA and WorldYWCA volunteers based in New York.International Colloquiumon Women’s Empowerment,Leadership Development,International Peace andSecurityAWorld YWCA delegation of women and youngwomen participated in a leadership colloquiumco-convened by President Ellen Johnson Sirleafof Liberia and President Tarja Halonen ofFinland in Liberia from March 7 – 9.The Colloquium brought together 400 Liberian nationalsand 400 international participants including female leadersand heads of states. The Colloquium explored UNSCR1325on women, peace and security that calls on governmentsto ensure women are protected from the worst abuses intimes of conflict and to empower women to play a vital role inhelping their countries prevent, end and recover from conflict.The World YWCA co-hosted a youth pre-forum onMarch 6 that engaged over 70 young people in supportingand embracing women’s empowerment, leadershipdevelopment and contributions to international peace andsecurity. Lotaya Smith (YWCA of Barbados) presented thefinal recommendations from the youth event at the openingceremony.The delegation included Susan Brennan, NyaradzayiGumbonzvanda , World YWCA Staff Natalie Fisher Spaltonand Hélène Yinda , Florence Kanindeh (YWCA of SierraLeone), Lotaya Smith (YWCA of Barbados) , RachaelClapson (YWCA England and Wales), Pirjo-Liisa Penttinen(YWCA of Finland), Roseline Toweh (YWCA of Liberia) andAmbar Aleman (YWCA Canada).World YWCA calls forprotection of women andchildren after Gaza WarThe World YWCA and the YWCA of Palestine calledon member association to hold candlelight vigilson January 8 in commemoration of hundredsof lives lost during the three-week war in Gazaand to call for peace in the Middle East. Israel launcheda military operation against Hamas-ruled Gaza strip onDecember 27, 2008 in retaliation to rocket fire by Hamas.The World YWCA, the YWCA of Palestine along with YWCAsin Fiji, Peru, Lebanon, Jordan, Japan, Brazil, Nepal, Guyana,Costa Rica, Denmark and Norway held vigils.The World YWCA condemned the force and impact ofIsrael’s attack on Gaza and urged the United Nations toenforce UNSCR 1325 on women, peace and security, whichwww.worldywca.org

CC 22briefingcalls on member states to involve women at all levels ofpeace-building and conflict resolution.“Addressing sexual and other forms of violence againstwomen is crucial,” said Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, WorldYWCA General Secretary, “Women often bear the brunt ofconflict. Gender-responsive humanitarian actions must takeinto account the special needs of women and children.”World YWCA and FDC keep womenof Zimbabwe on African UnionagendaAday of mourning, fasting and praying insolidarity with women and children in Zimbabweon March 8 was just one of the outcomes from aZimbabwe consultation held during the 13th Pre-Summit Consultative Meeting on Gender Mainstreamingin the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa. The consultationwas hosted by World YWCA and the Foundation forCommunity Development (FDC).“The presentation on Zimbabwe with FDC led byGraça Machel moved all participants to practical actionsin solidarity with women, girls and children in Zimbabwe,”said Dr Hélène Yinda, World YWCA Programme Director forAfrica and the Middle East. Along with Yinda, participantsfrom YWCAs of the Democratic Republic of Congo,Zimbabwe, Angola and Ethiopia were also present.about security, displacement of civilians, and the levels ofviolence against women.Dugdale visits YWCA of PapuaNew GuineaWorld YWCA Programme Director for Asiaand Pacific Juli Dugdale visited YWCA ofPapua New Guinea (PNG) in early Januaryand described the work of the YWCA as‘mind-blowing’.The YWCA of PNG is a leader in HIV and AIDSeducation and reaches over 60 villages throughout thecountry. The National AIDS Council of PNG has recentlyfunded five local YWCAs and one new project site toemploy youth coordinators to implement HIV and AIDSpriorities outlined in PNG’s HIV and AIDS strategic plan. Thefocus will be on reducing stigma and discrimination andpromoting safe sexual practices.Violence against women and young women’s leadershipare priority areas for the YWCA of PNG. “The YWCA of PNGhas been a trailblazer in promoting women’s rights in PNGand deserve the continual recognition for their work bygovernment, UN agencies, NGOs and faith-based sectors,”said Dugdale.Women hold key to peace,global women leaders sayWorld YWCA General Secretary NyaradzayiGumbonzvanda and Mary Robinson,Realizing Rights head and former UNHigh Commissioner of Human Rights wereamongst a delegation of high profile women leaders callingfor Sudanese women to be part of peace negotiations inconflict-ridden Darfur.“A new Sudan, a Sudan without war, needs womenas leaders and as full and equal citizens,” saidGumbonzvanda on return from the Second SudaneseWomen’s Forum on Darfur held in Addis Ababa fromJanuary 4-8.Gumbonzvanda said the Forum had a number of keyachievements that included the adoption of principlesof a constitution and a leadership to take the SudaneseWomen’s Forum on Darfur forward and a commitment bythe African Union to appoint a gender advisor in support ofgender mainstreaming in peace mediations.In March, Robinson and Gumbonzvanda travelled toeastern Congo and Rwanda on a fact-finding mission forOxfam to meet survivors of sexual violence. They also metwith Rwandan president Paul Kagame and Congolesepresident Joseph Kabila with whom they raised concernsJuli Dugdale, World YWCA Programme Director for Asia and the Pacific,poses with members of the YWCA of Papua New Guinea. January 2009www.worldywca.org

Save the date:The next World YWCA CouncilJuly 10 - 16, 2011About the World YWCA Council 2011 logoRed stands for Switzerland. The red brings out the freshnessand dynamics of the logo. On the other hand, red alsosymbolises vulnerability and strength and is thereby inlinewith the slogan. The logo consists of three elements: thecircle stands for the world, the triangle for the YWCA, thesmall white circle for individual women. The triangle createsa safe space for women.