** Side Event to the UNSC Open Debate on WPS *

By bringing together influential local women activists from Sudan, Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), Myanmar and Iraq with leading international stakeholders, this WPS Side Event will examine how international actors (member states, mulilateral organisations, INGOs) can provide feminist support to women activists and movements in times of political upheaval, mass protest and armed violence. The session will particularly focus on bridging the gaps from women leading protests on the streets to influencing all stages in each and every peace and political process.

The session will be moderated by Moneera Yassien (AMNA, Sudan) and Breza Race (Program Director Center for Applied NonViolent Actions and Strategies, Serbia).

The panel consists of four influential women activists:

Hadia Hasaballah, Sudan
Suheir Farraj, Director-General of the Women, Media and Development Organisation (TAM), Palestine
Ada Chai, Myanmar
Yasmin Falah, Iraq

Closing remarks will be shared by Maria Stephan, Author of ‘Why Civil Resistance Works’ and former USIP Program Director on Nonviolent Action.

This session is an initiative of Oxfam, PAX and WO=MEN Dutch Gender Platform and co-hosted by the Republic of Costa Rica and the Kingdom of Sweden.

Background

There are clear links between gender inequality and outbreaks of violent conflict. A significant and growing body of research has demonstrated that strengthening women’s political and social participation lowers the chances that a country will relapse into conflict. However, since UNSCR1325 women and girls’ inclusion and meaningful participation in peace processes remains structurally under-resourced in UN and international support mechanisms, with severe challenges in engaging with informal activist structures.

Women in Sudan, OPT, Myanmar and Iraq took to the streets, defying traditional norms to demand political change and recognition of their social and economic rights. Yet in all these countries women found themselves on the outside looking in when it came to deciding what would come next. Informal groups of women activists have proven that nonviolent action is nearly twice as successful as violence. Women’s leadership in nonviolent movements is likely to increase a movement’s tactical innovation and resilience, contributing to its success1. Despite this, women and girls continue to be systematically excluded from transitional political and peace processes following major nonviolent campaigns. The experiences of women and girls in Sudan, the OPT, Myanmar and Iraq are no exception.

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The zoomlink will be shared closer to the session date.

Feminist Support to Women Activists and Movements