Peace with justice

Peace has always been an important priority for the World YWCA. Founded in 1855 in the context of the industrial revolution and the Crimean War, the YWCA has for over one and a half century been sensitive to the particular situation women and girls face during conflict and war. YWCAs across the world are responding by providing shelter, protesting against war, supporting women in conflict areas and urging women’s participation in democracy and conflict resolution.

The World YWCA policy emphasises the global movement’s unique role in strengthening programmes that work to promotes peace and avoid war. In 2007, at the initiative of the YWCA of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the World YWCA Council resolved to promote the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. The World YWCA Council resolved to promote this resolution, mandating our movement to educate ourselves and others about women’s right to participate in building the peace.

To keep UNSCR 1325 alive and ensuring women’s full participation in peace-building and conflict resolution, key actions must accompany the existence of international instruments linke UNSCR 1325 and CEDAW in order to bring meaning to their spirit.

Political leadership must affirm women as citizens by demonstrating real political will backed-up with knowledge, skills and gender perspectives that bring a qualitative contribution to conflict prevention, negotiations and peace building.

Secondly, it is also clear that women must 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 the leadership of women lies at the heart of implementing these resolutions. Thirdly, it is about resource. Implementing these resolution demands financial resources, time, skills and expertise. Investments in women and girls in peace building means a conscious approach for resource prioritisation by the various actors and communities.

The human rights of women and men must be affirmed. Acknowledging the life long yearning for humanity to live a life with dignity, in safety and with security, with the necessary freedoms and the accompanying responsibilities is crucial in ensuring international instruments on peace and justice are effectively implemented.

The YWCA as a movement, founded on Christian basis, continues to affirm the mystery of creation, the uniqueness of being and the complimentary of life forms. Our nations lose direction when the spirit within is suppressed and not nurtured, egos become the being, and power to dominate creates strife and conflict. We must continue to reach deep within, for the spirit of sharing, respect and giving.

Building on this commitment, the chosen theme for the 2011 World YWCA Council is ‘Women Creating a Safe World’. To be held in Zurich, Switzerland from July 10-16, 2011, the Council theme speaks to the very core of our World YWCA vision—a fully inclusive world where justice, peace, health, human dignity, freedom and care for the environment are promoted through women’s leadership.