Report on the public event to celebrate International Women’s Day for Peace and Disarmament in South Korea – by Gyunglan Jung and Minjung Choi

In South Korea, Women Making Peace has celebrated International Women’s Day for Peace and Disarmament through seminars; statement issuance for peace and against war; peace vigils; and sending milk powder to North Korean children individually or with other groups.

This year, the 1325 Network, together with Women Making Peace, organized a public event at the National Human Rights Commission of Korea on May 22. The Korean Foundation for Women sponsored the event. The title of the event was “UNSCR 1325 and Korean Women”.

Currently, the South Korean government is developing a National Action Plan on United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (NAP 1325). Since January this year, the 1325 Network has been actively engaged in this process. It consists of 43 CSOs, including Women Making Peace, Korean Women’s Associations United, Korea YWCA, and Korea Women’s Hot Line. The network urged the South Korean government to organize a consultative body among the South Korean government, civil society organizations and academics in order to jointly develop the NAP. Currently the government considers organizing a UNSCR 1325 working group as a consultative body.

South Korea is a UN Security Council non-permanent member; one of the executive board members of UN Women; the 10th highest donor country to UN PKO budgets; an OECD-Development Assistance Committee (DAC) member and a member of Friends of 1325. A South Korean NAP on UNSCR 1325 will hence be very influential nationally and internationally, as it will have great effects on women in South and North Korea, troop dispatching countries and developing countries that South Korea assists.

The objectives of the May 24 public event focused on identifying the meaning of a South Korean NAP in the context of a divided Korea; exploring the directions of the South Korean women’s activities to implement UNSCR 1325 by reviewing NAPs of other countries; and making suggestions for women’s participation in the process of developing the NAP.

At the public event, Mr. Luis Teodoro Cruz, the Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines, gave congratulatory remarks and Ms. Sanghee Kim, chairwoman of the Committee on Gender Equality and Family of the National Assembly, sent a congratulatory message to the conference. Ambassador Luis Cruz underlined that the Philippines was the first country to adopt a National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325 in Asia. “The Philippine Action Plan calls for a close collaboration between government institutions and civil society groups to fully comply with the government’s commitment to increase participation in peace processes and address sexual violence against women in armed conflict situations.” He also expressed his support for the South Korean women’s endeavor to come up with a NAP.

Congresswoman Sanghee Kim pointed out that the South Korean National Assembly passed a resolution in February 2012, urging the South Korean government to adopt a NAP 1325. In December 2012, the South Korean government adopted the 4th Basic Plan on Women’s Policy, which included the development of a NAP as one of the tasks. She asked women to actively work for reducing tensions on the Korean peninsula and divert a confrontation between North and South Korea.

At the presentation, Ms. Hyunsook Lee, Executive Director of Women’s Forum for Peace and Diplomacy, and Gyunglan Jung, co-representative of Women Making Peace, gave presentations to the public. Ms. Hyunsook Lee gave a presentation on “Overcoming Division of the Korean Peninsula and National Action Plan on UN Security Council Resolution 1325”. She pointed out that the South Korean context was not properly reflected in the draft NAP, underlining Korea’s divided situation and its experience with sexual violence during World War II. Women suffered seriously from various conflicts, mentioning war widows, Japanese sexual slavery, women in sex industry near US military bases and so on. Overcoming the division of Korea is connected with addressing women’s problems. Women should recognize that women’s lives are affected by peace and security sectors. She also underlined that men’s views have been repeatedly used within conflict resolution efforts between North and South for 60 years, but have not been effective. The current insecurity in Korea is proof of the failure of a male centered diplomacy and security policy. Women should raise attention for this problem and work as peacemakers.

Ms. Gyunglan Jung gave a presentation on “National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325 and Women’s Participation”. She stressed the importance of women’s participation in the peace process. “Women’s participation in peace processes is a right of women, as they represent half of the population and will have positive influence on the parameters of politics, economy, security and socio-cultural reforms in a post conflict society.” She urged South Korean women to actively participate in the process of developing a South Korean NAP and suggested to develop a women’s vision on peace or a people’s vision on peace. She gave examples of women’s active participation in developing a NAP in the Philippines and the Netherlands. She made three suggestions on women’s participation in the process: broad networking, thematic approaches on peacekeeping, peace processes, sexual violence and humanitarian assistance, and governance structures based on UNSCR 1325.

Four discussants gave comments on the presentations. Ms. Eunjoo Kim, Director of the Center for Korean Women & Politics, criticized the South Korean NAP draft for not reflecting the South Korean context and underlined that the process of developing and implementing a 1325 NAP should be a process to promote peace sensibility and women’s participation in peace making and human security.

Mr. Daehoon Lee, member of the UN Advisory Group on Women, Peace and Security in the Asia and Pacific Region, emphasized that in developing the Nation Action Plan, there is a need to consult with all stakeholders and groups concerned and collect their opinions. In addition, equal and just international relations need to be considered for the compliance with all international human rights and international humanitarian laws for adopting an effective and participatory National Action Plan.

Ms. Elli Kim, professor of the Ehwa Institute for Leadership Development, raised a question on how 1325 NAP will change women’s lives under the current security paradigm, which is not a peace paradigm. She commented on the importance of qualitative change in women’s lives through the development of a NAP. “Development of a NAP should draw not only on the increase of numbers of women in participation but also on the quality change of women’s lives.”

Ms. Soonduk Woo, co-representative of the Alliance for the Human Rights of Gijichon Women, pointed out that the South Korean government constructed Gijichon (US military camp in the South Korea) for the US military in South Korea after the Korean War. She urged the NAP to include the South Korean government’s support to Gijichon Women.

Participants came to the conclusion that women need to actively participate in the process of developing the NAP as peacemakers and to empower women’s capacity.

A packed Humanity House for the May 24 public event

To celebrate May 24 – International Women’s Day for Peace and Disarmament – the Women Peacemakers Program, in cooperation with Humanity House, organized the public event “Peace: Men & Women as Allies”.

Over 15 activists, men and women from all over the world, shared their personal story on gender-sensitive active nonviolence from a masculinities perspective with a packed Humanity House.

A speech contextualizing the work on masculinities from a feminist perspective and two panel discussions, the first focusing on men and women working as allies for gender-sensitive peacebuilding and the second highlighting the different regional contexts of working on masculinities and advancing women’s leadership within peacebuilding, informed the public on the theory and practices of the theme.

Here are some quotes of the speakers:

“No talking masculinities without feminisms” – Anand Pawar, India

“As we interact as a man and woman in a respectful manner, I have seen a change in the community, as we are a role model for working together” – Seconde Nyanzobe, Burundi

“If we raise our children with violence and wean them with aggression, they will have no appetite for peace” – Alimou Diallo, Guinee

“First we as women did not see the added value of working with men, but the transformation of the young men by the training of WPP convinced us”- Netsai Mushonga, Zimbabwe

Isabelle Geuskens receiving the May 24 publication from Joost Andriessen

The evening also marked the launch of the annual WPP May 24 Publication – “Men and Women working as Partners for Gender-Sensitive Active Nonviolence. Stories from the Field” – by Joost Andriessen, Director Stabilisation and Humanitarian Aid Department of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This year’s publication features the personal stories of men trained on gender-sensitive active nonviolence and reflections of pioneering women peacemakers on the stories of the men.

“With UNSCR 1325 as the cornerstone for involving women in peace processes, the International Women’s Day for Peace and Disarmament becomes more acknowledged. I encourage WPP to carry on their work, because recognition of women’s leadership in peacebuilding has still a long way to go.” – Joost Andriessen, the Netherlands

The WPP May 24 Publication 2013 can be retrieved here: http://www.womenpeacemakersprogram.org/May%20Pub%202013%20web.pdf

As every year, the Women Peacemakers Program celebrates the International Women’s Day for Peace and Disarmament on May 24. This day is important to us, as it highlights a key component of UNSCR 1325: It pays tribute to the important work of women peace activists all over the world, who work in difficult environments as agents of change for peace in their communities.

Working together for peace

On the occasion of this year’s May 24, we also think about all the violent conflicts in the world – some make the headlines; some don’t – and commend the women who work in these violent environments for nonviolent solutions and simultaneously strive for gender equality, often at the expense of their own safety. In their work, they bravely challenge social norms that promote the use of violence and militarism to settle conflict.

The message of May 24 is not only by and for women and the women’s peace movement –it is a message about creating sustainable peace for all. And as allies of women activists, men have an important role to play – and much to gain – in sharing and promoting this message.

In 2009, WPP started with a pilot Training of Trainers (ToT) Cycle, entitled “Overcoming Violence: Exploring Masculinities, Violence and Peacebuilding” to train male peace activists in the field of gender-sensitive active nonviolence and integrating a masculinities perspective in their work for peace and gender justice. The training focused particularly on the importance of men working together as allies with the women’s peace movement. This year’s edition of the annual WPP May 24 publication features the stories of the male trainees, who reflect on the impact of this training cycle on their personal lives and professional work. The men’s testimonies pay tribute to the power of transformation that lies in gender-sensitive active nonviolence.

On May 28, the WPP, in cooperation with Humanity House in The Hague, will launch its publication during a public event, called ‘Peace: Men & Women working as Allies’.

WPP partners from all over the world will be sharing their experiences in the field of gender-sensitive peacebuilding and working together as allies for the Women, Peace, and Security agenda. Over 70 people will be present, including representatives of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and civil society representatives of the Dutch Women, Peace and Security field. You can find more information on the event here.

Sneak Preview May 24 publication

The activists will also participate in the WPP Global Consultation Meeting in The Hague, which takes place between 26 and 29 May. A selection of trainees and trainers of the 2009-2010 ToT Cycle, as well as the recent Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and Asia ToT Cycles (2011-2013) will share their views and experiences during the Consultation. The Consultation aims to assess the longer-term effects of the 2009-2010 pilot Training of Trainers and integrating a masculinities approach in gender-sensitive peacebuilding. Based on this joint analysis, a strategy forward will be created as to further develop this area of work during upcoming years.

Of course WPP is not the only organisation celebrating May 24. We are happy to highlight the public event of Women Making Peace, our partner in South Korea, which is organizing an event on UNSCR 1325 on May 22, together with UN representatives and representatives of civil society. In our next CtL you will be able to read more about this event. Another event will take place in Leicester, where civil society is organizing an anti-drones protest march on May 24. We look forward to hearing from you what you are planning to do for this year’s May 24, and wish you an inspiring International Women’s Day for Peace and Disarmament!

The past few years, the Middle East has witnessed an incredible amount of changes. The energy and the hope, generated by the people’s uprisings during the Arab Spring, came hand in hand with insecurity and instability in the region. The Middle East is amongst one of the least peaceful regions in the world, with the drop in rankings for the Arab countries reflecting the turbulence since the Arab Spring(1). The military spending in the Middle East rose by 8,4 per cent in 2012 to $138 billion (2).

In this highly militarized and conflict-ridden region, an excessive amount of discrimination and violence against women is taking place. While women have been on the forefront during the Arab Spring demonstrations, they faced sidelining and undermining of their rights during the aftermath of it. For example, sexual harassment has risen tremendously in Egypt.

CSO’s and women have been working for years to advance the position of women in the region. Recently, some human and women’s rights groups realized that a different strategy might be needed to strengthen their work for gender equality. In this highly patriarchal region, discussions have started about the role men can (and should) play in ending violence against women and eliminating gender inequality.

One of the forerunners in these discussions is the Lebanon-based group ABAAD – Resource Center for Gender Equality. Since 2011, the WPP has been partnering with ABAAD for its regional capacity building program in the Middle East, which included a regional Training of Trainers Cycle on masculinities and gender-sensitive active nonviolence (GSANV) and the organization of a consultation meeting to explore the relevance of regional networking for GSANV in the region.

On 10th and 11th April 2013, the WPP participated in a pioneering international seminar, organized by ABAAD, entitled “Masculinities and Ending Violence against Women in the Middle East and Abroad”. Participants came from Lebanon, Palestine, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, Egypt, Nicaragua, Sweden, South Africa and the USA to share their experiences and reflections on the topic. ABAAD shared its innovative and groundbreaking work on masculinities and ending violence in the region, including the establishment of a center for men in Beirut, as well as its work with religious leaders and youth in Lebanon.

The cultural meanings of being a “real man” in different cultural contexts as well as how societies teach their children to become women and men around the world were discussed during the meeting. Guest speakers Gary Barker and Oswaldo Montoya of Promundo and MenEngage, and Dean Peacock of Sonke Gender Justice Network offered insightful experiences from Brazil, South Africa and Nicaragua. Through audio and video material, they shared examples of male change makers who challenge the connection between violence and masculinities: men who refuse to abide by masculine norms that equate being a man with being strong, powerful, heterosexual, successful, and entitled to privileges over women. Change makers who don’t believe that men may use violence towards women, children, or other men if those people do not live up to social norms or if the men feel that they are being challenged.

During the seminar, participants were invited to discuss if and how they could engage men in their own work, and what kind of challenges and obstacles they face in doing this in their own context. The potential of and the need for engaging men in the region was highlighted by the participants. The various Arab male participants shared insights from their own experiences in the region as male change makers speaking out against violence against women. A Jordanian male activist shared how he clearly notices in his work that Arab culture “applauds women who stay calm while being subjects to violence, women who are patient and don’t speak out against it”. He shared how he encourages his female students to speak out when they are violated – in contrast to cultural expectations – because “nobody should stay in a pattern of violence”. The specific and strong role religious leaders play in the region was highlighted by various participants also.

At the closing comments, one participant reiterated the words of Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish – the interconnectedness of the jailer and jailed and the sense that their destinies are inextricably – and related this to how women’s and men’s roles are linked and how both are ‘ victims of socialization’.

Future plans

To be able to share thoughts with people from so many different countries was an enriching experience. Participants emphasized the need to analyze the different strategies discussed – including the use of art, media and social media, and the collection of clear social, cultural and health data on the benefits of gender equality for men and boys, women and girls – and to strategize on how these can be adapted and used in our own context.
All the participants expressed a strong willingness to continue the discussions and networking in order to advance the work of engaging men in the MENA region. The WPP is looking forward to continue her work in the region with the various partners!

Next month, from 26-29 May, the WPP is organizing an Global Consultation meeting in The Hague, with several of its partners in the field of GSANV and masculinities coming together to discuss the impact in the field, as well as design a long-term strategy to continue this important area of work in upcoming years.

Early 2014, the WPP will organize another MENA Consultation to analyze specific needs in the region and decide collaboratively on a strategy to advance the work of gender sensitive active nonviolence in the region.
Please keep an eye on our website and Facebook for the latest updates!

Website of ABAAD: http://www.abaadmena.org/

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1  Source:  http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2012/jun/12/global-­‐peace-­‐index-­‐2012

2  Source:  http://www.sipri.org/media/pressreleases/2013/milex_launch