Feminism, Why Are People Afraid?

Because a lot of people still have a lot of misunderstanding about feminism, it is necessary that we explain it again and again.Before explaining feminism I wish to remember and pay my tributes to all our feminist foremothers and fore-sisters on whose shoulders we stand tall. Whatever we have achieved as women and girls, is a result of their struggles and courage.

Some people, including some young, strong and bright women, feel feminism is no more necessary. It is a thing of the past because girls and women have equal rights now. I wish it was so. On the one hand women have broken many barriers, they have proven themselves in every area of work and life, we have pretty good laws and policies, but at the same time violence against women is not less, if not more and this is so all over the world; in India the female male ratio continues to dip. For the first time in human history, there are fewer women than men on this planet thanks mainly to gynocide (killing of women) in India and China. The employment rate of women in India in the formal sector has been going down while the GDP has been rising. Our religions, customs and traditions, our languages not just in India but everywhere, continue to be patriarchal. The media and advertisements are filled with misogynistic (woman hating) images, stories and item numbers. Therefore, for me feminism is still relevant and required.

Presidential Decree No.18 Year 2014, Protection of Women in Conflict Area

March 7, 2014, The President of Republic of Indonesia has agreed to pass The Presidential Decree (PerPres) No. 18 Year 2014 on the protection of women and children during instances of civil conflict. The decree contains of two major interventions; Firstly, protection of women and children which relates prevention to conflict occurred, protection of women and girls' rights, handling social conflict and violence, including treatment for victim or survivor of violent conflict. Secondly,  Empowerment that refers to efforts to strengthen human's rights, quality of life women and girs' affected by conflict and increasing women and girls' participation in peacebuilding. 

Unlike other UNSCR 1325 National Action Plan, The PrePres No. 18 Year 2014 shows  uniqueness  in term  of list of considerations that may not be found in other cases, which UNSCR 1325 is not placed as the only core regulation to support the development of NAP on women, peace and security in Indonesia. There are three relevant and more acceptable laws that take into consideration as core law to justify WPS NAP in Indonesia. UU No. 7 Year 1984 regarding ratification of Convention to Eliminate All Form of Violence Against Women, UU No. 39 Year 1999 regarding ratification of Human Rights Declaration and UU No. 7 Year 2012 about  Social Conflict Management are three most relevant laws to be considered as considerations on the decree. The reason was because Minister of Foreign Affair had different perspective on  UNSCR 1325 which is not applicable for Indonesia context as relatively peaceful country. It was tough discussion during Regular Working Group Meeting on 1325 NAP two years back, resulting difficult negotiation between The Minister of Women's Empowerment and Children Protection and Ministry of Foreign Affair that hindering the process of approval among Ministries level. Instead of debating the reference, we focus on the substance of the decree, which reflects the whole content of UNSCR 1325 where element of prevention, protection, empowerment and participation of women in conflict reconciliation and peacebuilding. Eventually, negotiation met agreement to use national laws which are more close to the substance of the decree and as strongly connection with UU No. 7 Year 2012 on Social Conflict Management. 

The second uniqueness of the decree, it has element of children. The reason to add children as part of inseparable element of the decree, because technically children are under framework of Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Children Protection,  so it is easier for government bodies to take it into consideration as it also integrated into all program of ministries. In addition, it is also the need of local Indonesia to include children as part of the concern on Women, Peace and Security because in real intervention women and children are most vulnerable to violent conflict and mostly overlooked from the process of peacebuilding because they are considered as passive victim. 

Above of "deviation" of the 1325 NAP, I believe that  local context must be taken into primary consideration in bringing down international agenda on Women, Peace and Security. There is no single interpretation of UNSCR 1325 to be implemented into national level in the form of stand alone action plan or integrated to other existing national action plan, because the national level will play important roles in implementing the agenda on 1325. In the near future, civil societies in different backgrounds and ministries must hand in hand in implementing the program of protection and empowerment of women and children in conflict area. To overcome the challenge on integrating the agenda into government agenda, civil societies should be part of institutions having responsibility to assist and monitor the implementation of  NAP in district, provincial and national level. International support is also needed. ***

10 Ways Syrian Women Are Building Peace and Democracy

They move carefully between constantly changing checkpoints, where they’re often harassed. Extremists have been known to target female activists—beating them for not dressing conservatively enough. Or they may be detained. It happens frequently, especially if their activities are known to the government authorities. Even if not directly targeted, they live and work under constant shelling and deprivation, lacking food and water, and are often unable to communicate with activists a few neighborhoods away.

Yet, since the uprising began almost three years ago, Syrian women have demonstrated exceptional creativity and resilience. Despite their heroic efforts, these leaders have received too little attention from policymakers and the media and have not been fully consulted as part of the ongoing negotiations.

Here are 10 ways Syrian women are building peace and democracy in their country.

Forever Forward, Never Backward

Joint    Statement of Women’s Rights Civil Society Movements at the Asia-Pacific Civil Society Consultation for the 20-Year Review of the Implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action and for the 58^th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women

Forever Forward, Never Backward

Women’s rights civil society movements from the Asia Pacific region gathered at the United Nations Conference Centre, Bangkok on 10-11 February 2014, call upon our region’s women ministries and officials responsible for Gender Equality, to take this opportunity of the Review of the Implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action (BPFA) and the 58^th Session of the Commission of the Status of Women, to advance commitments related to gender equality and women’s and girls’ rights, development and empowerment within a vision of a regional community that enjoy development, economic, social, gender and environmental justice. We remind ourselves that the BPFA drew its mandate and inspiration from earlier global agreements, such as, the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, International Conference on Population and Development, and Vienna Conference on Human Rights.

What is the meaning of resettlement in Sri Lanka: "We want our land back as we are also citizens of Sri Lanka".

When you read the field visit report of the resettlement of the Internally Displaced People[IDPs] you all will realize the reality of the so called resettlement scheme of the country. Uduppitty, Moor Street, Mullikulam, displaced camps as well as so called Thiru Murugandi, and Sinnaveli resettled camps are the places where we visited in this field work.

"It is well planned revenge against us." This is some of the complains we heard from various community members in the northern province and which is an unfortunate situation. It is justifiable criticism of the northern province IDPs when the government is not take care of those people, their needs and fulfill their reasonable aspirations with due respect and care.

Some of the people in those camps said, "Government act deliberately forgetting there is a remaining group of IDP like us to resettle in the country."

The government very firmly says that there the most of IDPs have been resettled and there is only very small number of people are remaining to resettle in the north. The general public in the south of Sri Lanka also trust highly those media reports without any doubts. There is a big question mark about the free media as well though this is not the time to discuss it.

The complete version of report can be seen here

Peace Message from Afghanistan Towards Women's Participation in Peacebuilding

We thank the committee members, elders, scholars ,teachers, members of civil society, ladies, gentlemen, brothers and sisters of Nangarhar, Laghman, Kunar and Noristan provinces for their participation, sharing ideas and practical contribution in the conference entitled “ Women Participation in Peace ” . 

As it is clear to all that the people of Afghanistan faced enormous difficulties over the past three decadesand this series is still ongoing. Innocent Afghans are killedunder the name of Terrorism, Freedom, and Islam by the funding and weapons of aliens. 

Taking into consideration this bitter reality we, the participants of this conference on the representative of Women and Afghan nation present and declare the following message to all Political leaders, Religious scholars, Armed oppositions,National, regional and international leaders. 

1. Continuation of war in Afghanistan is not in any one’s benefit andthose who are fueling the violence and war, they themselves would be victim of this fire. Our people have known this reality very well and won’t be deceived by alien’s conspiracy anymore. They knew who are behind of this war and what their aims are. Therefore, it is our duty to call on all conflicting parties, the Islamic government of Afghanistan, the leaders of Taliban, leaders of the Political parties, Members of civil societies and all other Afghans to work together for the sustainability and expedition of the peaceprocess. We hopethat all conflicting sides prepare themselves for negotiation and they should not torture the oppressed nation anymore sothat to strengthen stability and living with each other in peace. 

2. AS a representative of Afghan women we strongly request from our brothers and elders to end violence and conflicts, pave the way for the implementation of peace of peace process in our war torn community and avoid outside intervention.We expect our leaders to prove that they are faithful and real servants of the people of the country. 

3. We call on the world and regional leaders to avoid any negative intervention in the Afghan internal issues and cooperate for promoting Peace and stability.Because peace and stability in Afghanistan would ensure Peace and stability in the region andworld. 

4. We all have to understand that the root causes behind these wars and conflicts are the elements that contribute to the continuation of this war; therefore these elements need to be recognized, identified and amended. Without this, achievement to a peaceful solution is impossible. So we demand all parties to identify and eradicate the root causes of current violence. 

5. We want all conflicting partiesthat in peace talks the women rights should be taken into consideration and peace struggle should never be in the context that we ignore women’s rights which have been given by Islam and Afghans culture. 

6. The Holy and unique book of Allah (Quran Karim), Afghan culture, and international principles order that women and children must be treated respectfully and mercifully in the war situations, unfortunately we see such examples that children and women are kept hostage and then asking for ransom or other demands, this will be an obvious violation against the Islamic principles and rules that disgrace Afghans by using the holy name of Islam. Once again we call upon all the stakeholders and urge them to stop doing such actions and give Afghans reassurance that they will never sacrifice the lives of women and children in getting their political aims. 

7. Our community is an Islamic, Afghan and peaceful community.All Afghans whether or not involved in fight and violence, should promote brotherhood In the light of Islamic principles, values and Afghan customs, and on the basis of human values such as patience, trust, tolerance andsympathy should develop and strengthen peace process in the national, regional and international levels. 

8. The people of Afghanistan announce their readiness for the Election. Sothe success of this election depends upon the participation of men and women to votes for electing their upcoming leaders.This is only possible at the time when the people of Afghanistan especially women who are half of the whole population of the country should be given permission to take part in the election.We expect that at the time of election, violation must not be happened so that we can show to the region and the world that our people can resolve many issues by mutual interaction,understanding, peaceful and constructive talks. 

9. Let us work hard for the reconstruction and maintenance of the national unity in our country so that to create Afghanistan, the Home of Peace and stability in the world and region. Our people have faced a lot of hardships in different stages of the history, but this country’s sovereignty has been savedby strong leadership of our leaders and the cooperation and sacrifices of the people. 

Once again it is the time to work and struggle together for ensuring peace and stability in the country.

Jalalabad, September 22, 2013

Lesson from N-Peace and Reflection on Women, Peace and Security

Recently I was invited to speak about women, peace and security in HQ office of UNDP in New York on 1-2 October 2013. The two days workshop was aimed to review a new initiative called N-Peace and had reflection on UN security council on 1325 in global and national context. It was amazed to hear about quick progress of N-Peace in two years that is able to connect different women peacebuilders in different places in Asia Pacific, especially in Nepal, Afghanistan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Timor Leste, and Srilanka. What the most interesting part of Radhika’s presentation was about recognition of women working in peacebuilding and engaging dialogue with different women actors of peacebuilder. More than 2 million people connected with social media of N-Peace within 2 years is indicating that public is enthusiasm to the initiative and willing to mobilize members of N-Peace. However, critical questions from Jennifer F. Klot from Social Science Research Council regarding, who started to doubt the agenda of feminism, which bring women-centered approach could fasten transformation, especially in bringing women into government system, presumably it will able to change the attitude of government. However, in many context of countries, we witness that there are increasing number of women representation in the decision making process, does not parallelly contribute to structural change. Why?

The question was also raised from Josephine, to reflect the country context of the Philippines, where civil societies are very vibrant and active in responding global and national agenda, to settle formal and informal structure to push peace talks happening inside the country, but it seems end with not “so positive” result. Including the implementation of NAP 1325, which is able to promote number of women in peace talks structure, on the other hand conflict are still going on. Similarly, in Indonesia I also felt that there are some good regulations that promote human rights and protect people’s life, but in many cases do not parallel change the behavior of people. For instance the 1945 constitution that recognizes freedom for religion, but at grass root level, a certain group is fighting for “absolute truth” and against other group. To connect people through N-Peace is good thing, but to mobilize N-Peace’s member is challenge because this should be under designed, so we will have a picture of how to use pull of resources within country and outside country. Is N-Peace strong enough to contribute to structural change in the future?

As we know that the implementation of the UN security council on resolution 1325 on women, peace and security into national concrete agenda is not smooth. Partly, it is because only 39 out of 139 UN member states have adopted the resolution to a National Action Plan (NAP). In my opinion, the other reason is also because there is a big disconnection in different levels. Firstly, there is disconnection on women, peace and security agenda with the other UN resolution such as UNR 1860 (provides an accountability system for addressing conflict-related sexual violence), 1888 (Strengthens tools for implementing 1820 through assigning leadership, building judicial response expertise, and reporting mechanisms), 1889 (Addresses women’s exclusion from early recovery and peacebuilding and lack of adequate planning and funding for their needs), 1920 (first to recognize conflict-related sexual violence as a tactic of warfare and a critical component of the main-tenance of international peace and security, requiring a peacekeeping, justice, and peace negotiation response).

Secondly, disconnection of agenda women, peace and security is with human rights instrument such as human rights declaration, CEDAW, ICCPR, ICESR etc. What I mean by disconnection is because the implementation of UNR 1325 separately from other instruments, and no mechanism how to mainstream the agenda 1325 into related human rights instrument, especially within the national context. When it is translated into NAP 1325, then this does not have a bridging mechanism to other existing NAP.  At least I am talking about context of Indonesia, which we have some NAPs relating to human rights, disability, greenhouse gas emission reduction, REDD implementation etc. These NAPs are implementing with “silent” communication.  

Thirdly, other big disconnection of WPS with the global agenda on development, environment justice, South-South cooperation, global partnership etc.  So, we often seen that women, peace , security agenda separate concern with the global agenda on post 2015 development agenda, APEC, G20 etc. I think it is because the peace and development platform could not find the core common intersection concept and lack of knowledge management on best practice of peace and development project in different part of the world that has not yet spread widely, so people do not have clear picture of peace and development intervention during reconstruction and rehabilitation aftermath. As an impact of disconnection is the working mechanism within civil society organization (CSO) and also grant making organization because indicator of each project may not relate to WPS. 

Fourthly, disconnection between national and local, where N-peace members lies from Aceh to Papua. This become strength when mechanism of mobilizing people and knowledge is effective working. So, national advocacy will be supported by local groups. This needs more than formal dialogue, it needs intensive communication and regular update of best practice from the field and manage the knowledge in such a creative way so other regions could learn.

In the context of Indonesia, women peacebuilders are spreading to different islands, so it needs effective mechanism how to engage them actively in the national and global advocacy. However, it needs to have organic movement, which is beyond formal meeting to actively provide a space for exchange experiences and knowledge in the context of multi disciplines. So, collective national leadership should be mechanism to strength the movement and engage them actively in the global agenda, so WPS is not just translated to UNR 1325 without communicating with CEDAW and other human rights instrument both in national and international level. In practical way, all program of agency must reflect clear indicators of WPS, including gender sensitive one.

Some proposals came up from the forum to strengthen collective leadership and strength mobilization that could make priority of N-Peace in the future. “Is it possible to treat N-Peace beyond the project”. Because there is strong need to have cultural movement building that is often overlooked because “project framework”. Other proposal for N-Peace is to strength communication mechanism within country and engage with regional mechanism such as ASEAN institute on Peace and Reconciliation, and global agenda such as Post 2015 development agenda, G 20 etc. For the sake of national advocacy, N-peace should create mechanism of mobilizing members to support the agenda continuously. Currently Bill on gender equality is being advocated by some women’s group, how N-Peace members could pour greater energy to succeed the advocacy. The cross cutting issues must be chosen as the best way to integrate WPS agenda to other development agenda.

To end my reflection, I would like to quote from Josephine’s statement during our conversation that “CSO in Asia is strong. Without N-Peace, they have existed for long time. When they joint with N-Peace, it should have added value.”  ***

Written by Ruby Kholifah, country representative of AMAN Indonesia

Is Positive Peace with Us? Exchange Program of Muslim Women from Aceh, Pattani and Mindanao

On the occasion of AMAN’s 20th anniversary held in Pattani in January 2011, AMAN organized a workshop titled “Women in Armed Conflict”. This workshop was a part of its Assembly that focused on Multi-culturalism and World Peace. The workshop brought together women living in conflict areas and through experience-sharing and analysis of women’s roles as peace builders, addressed the relevant issues and formulated recommendations regarding the problems faced by women in areas such as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Aceh, Mindanao, Myanmar/Burma, Kashmir, Manipur in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

As a follow up to the workshop, AMAN brought together eight women two from Southern Thailand (Mrs. Gareeman Saree-Nga, Yaseming Yama, Haibah Lohma), three from Mindanao (Remma Baban, Ruby Andong, and Mo'mina Abdul Jalal), and Aceh (Rizki Afiat, Kusmawati Moh. Hatta, Yusdarita) who are either affected by armed conflict and/or work for women and children affected by the same. The workshop was held in April 21 to may 3, 2012 comprising of class orientation, field visit to Aceh and Pattani, and reflection. To get insight experiences of women living in conflict area, AMAN invited eight women from Aceh, Pattani and Mindanao to document stories of women during their visits to Aceh after peace agreement comparing with situation of Muslim women in Pattani, who struggling for access to justice till now.