WOMEN PEACE-BUILDERS CONTINUE THEIR STRUGGLE FOR PEACE AND NON VIOLENCE

Dili, 27 January 2004
“Women Peace-builders continue in their struggle for peace and non violence in their communities, countries and region, despite considerable personal, institutional, political and global challenges”, participants at the Pacific Regional Peace Consultation for Women Peacemakers heard today (26 January 2004).

Listening and reflecting on the country reports, participants are identifying parallels not only on the causes of conflict, but also the impact, especially on women and children, and young people, who remain a vulnerable group in post conflict reconstruction, which further reinforces the need for regional solidarity.

At the same time, however, women continue to be marginalised from the political and policy making structures to ensure conflict prevention, as well as the development for sustainable peace. This continues, despite the many global, regional and even national commitments made by Governments of the region.

The consultation, which began on Saturday January 24th, has identified the need for consistent funding for women-specific initiatives, and also the need for a combined approach to ensure that “Pacific specific” issues are articulated at the international level.

Many of the participants have also highlighted the need for greater policy-driven or diplomacy training for women peace-builders in order to assist women better negotiate for peace and non violence.

The meeting has also been an important space for young women: “I feel inspired by the sharing of experiences from the different women of the pacific region because even though we share the same struggle, but for some of us, such as in Fiji and the Solomon Islands, are facing internal conflicts, while for those of us, still struggling for political independence, our conflicts remain caused external forces, “ says Teresa Wambon of West Papua. “So it is important that we sustain our regional solidarity, to help one another in our region,” she adds.

The consultation, the first regional women’s meeting to be staged in Timor Leste, has brought together women peace-builders from the Melanesian region, including the Fiji Islands, Solomon Islands, Bougainville and West Papua, to share experiences and also establish current networks to sustain women’s peace building efforts not only in their respective countries, but also across the region.

Meanwhile, the staging of the consultation in Timor Leste is also symbolic for the participants, who are witnessing first hand, the result of the armed conflict in Timor Leste, in the lead up to its independence in 2002: “We have seen the lack of infrastructure, communications, and of course the basic necessities of life, including clean water. So it is very important for us to help our sisters advocate and articulate the type of development and reconstruction they feel is needed, to ensure sustainable peace.” said one participant.

The consultation is being organised by the Peace and Democracy Foundation and IFOR - The International Federation on Reconciliation (IFOR) Women Peacemakers Program (Netherlands) .