‘Women as Political Agents in Peace Processes’ drew together 100 participants in Brussels to discuss how women are represented in peace processes. The high-level event was organised by CMI in cooperation with the Permanent Representations of Finland and Denmark to the EU.
Women do not only deserve a seat at the negotiation table; they should have the floor and be part of decision-making processes. Digital tools have helped create a space for women, but there needs to be action to ensure that spaces are safe for women’s participation. These were some of the points made earlier this week in Brussels.
The first panel, moderated by Ambassador Stella Ronner-Grubačić, the EU Ambassador for Gender and Diversity, focussed on women’s rights and political participation in peace processes.
From L to R: Lora Borissova, who gave they keynote speech along with panelists Nilofar Ayoubi and Randa Gindeel. Picture: Anni Lindgren / CMI
In the panel, Ratibeh Al-Natseh from the Palestinian Fida party, encouraged women to take the floor and not wait for it to be given.
Fawzia Koofi reminded everyone that the real work starts once women have been included in peace negotiations and in political processes. The leader of Movement of Change for Afghanistan party and a former member of the peace negotiation team of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, added that they must be involved in decision-making to shape the future of their country.
“Without changing the political ecosystem in the country, nothing will fundamentally change. We need to rebuild the system through a women-centric approach. This means giving women their agency.”
Elham Saudi from Lawyers for Justice in Libya stressed that meaningful participation takes place in a continuum. It starts well before being included in a particular process and continues both during and after the cooperation.
The panel discussed the global support for conflict-driven areas and what could be done to enhance dialogue with international actors such as the EU. The panelists highlighted the importance of inclusive discussions.
Ratibeh Al-Natseh shed light on some of the complexities around representation, and Lubna Elatta, Director-General of the Sudan National Centre for Languages (she participated in supporting the women’s delegation to the Juba talks on Sudan) noted that European actors should be transparent and accountable in their actions.
“Women have achieved a lot until now, with the support of the international community, particularly in terms of women and peace. The global community should be effectively involved with Sudan, especially in supporting the streets and not the elite.”
In the first panel, Fawzia Koofi stressed the need to support women-centric approach in the political ecosystem of Afghanistan. Picture: Anni Lindgren
Sudan needs to stay visible in the talks and the actions of international actors such as the EU, noted Lubna Elatta. “We need the international community to stand by us.” Picture: Anni Lindgren / CMI
Young women leading protest movements
The second panel, moderated by Charlotte Slente, the Secretary-General of Danish Refugee Council, brought together young women activists from Libya, Sudan, Palestine and Afghanistan to discuss young women in movements’ demanding social and political change, and the use of digital tools in protests.
The panelists, Asma Khalifa, Libyan women’s rights and peace activist and researcher, Randa Gindeel, Associate Professor at Ahfad University for Women in Sudan, Dalia Hamayel, Palestinian activist and community organiser and Nilofar Ayoubi, journalist, human rights and women rights activist from Afghanistan, discussed the increasing number of protests led by women.
Dalia Hamayel noted that in Palestine, the women’s right movement started decades ago. The newer movements provide flexibility, helping people to find ways to mobilise and thereby contributing to decentralising leadership and providing the space to those who would otherwise not have it.
Palestinian Dalia Hamayel is an activist and community organizer working on social and economic justice. Picture: Anni Lindgren / CMI
Asma Khalifa stressed the importance of social media for advocacy both internally and regionally. “To get support matters”. But added that while it can provide a new space for women, this is not necessarily a safe space.
All panelists highlighted the importance of social media as tools of political movements and for more support for digital infrastructure and digital literacy skills as key enablers for change. Nilofar Ayoubi and Randa Gindeel explained how taking control of the social media space has become a central tool for protests in countries governed by authoritarian regimes and for international awareness-raising.
However, Nilofar Ayoubi stressed that the work in Afghanistan is far from done and in the case of protest movements, silence is never golden.
“We need to keep Afghanistan alive on social media and on the news.”
Nilofar Ayoubi from Afghanistan addressed both the importance and the risks of social media as a tool of protest movements. Picture: Anni Lindgren / CMI
The EU continues its support to conflict-affected areas
The EU has often highlighted the importance of supporting human rights and women’s rights in vulnerable regions. Lora Borissova – from the cabinet of European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen – emphasised in her keynote speech that 70 per cent of EU actions focuses on gender equality.
“Conflicts are always difficult for both men and women, yet resolutions often leave out women. The EU is committed to the goal that women and girls can exercise full participation,” she said.
Denmark’s Ambassador Michael Lund Jeppesen gave concluding remarks along with Finland’s Ambassador Juha Ottman. “We must invest in women,” said Lund Jeppesen. Picture: Anni Lindgren / CMI
Political and Security Committee (PSC) Ambassadors Juha Ottman and Michael Lund Jeppesen from Finland and Demark respectively concluded with reflections from the day’s conversations.
Ambassador Ottman highlighted that women are targeted on social media. That is something that needs to be taken seriously and tackled also in the EU, he said.
Ambassador Lund Jeppesen noted: “Inclusion goes beyond increasing the number of women in peace negotiations. We must invest in women.”
