Not So Quiet Stepdaughters Of War: Women Peacemakers

Not So Quiet...: Stepdaughters of War (Women & Peace)

by Helen Zenna Smith

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	549 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	308 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

Women have played a vital role in peacemaking throughout history, but their contributions have often been overlooked. This is partly due to the fact that women have traditionally been excluded from formal peace negotiations and decision-making processes. However, even when women have been involved in peacemaking, their work has often been undervalued or ignored.

In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the important role that women play in peacemaking. This is due in part to the work of feminist scholars and activists, who have challenged the traditional view of women as passive victims of war. Feminist peacemakers have argued that women have a unique perspective on war and peace, and that they can play a vital role in building lasting peace.

There are many different ways that women can contribute to peacemaking. Some women work as diplomats or mediators, helping to negotiate peace agreements between warring parties. Others work with communities to build peace from the ground up, by promoting dialogue, reconciliation, and understanding. Still others work to raise awareness of the impact of war on women and children, and to advocate for policies that will prevent war and promote peace.

The work of women peacemakers is often challenging and dangerous. They may face threats, intimidation, and even violence from those who oppose their work. However, despite the challenges, women peacemakers continue to work tirelessly to build a more just and peaceful world.

The Stories of Some Remarkable Women Peacemakers

There are many inspiring stories of women peacemakers throughout history. Here are a few examples:

• Jane Addams was an American social worker and peace activist who founded the Hull House settlement in Chicago. She was a leading advocate for women's suffrage and peace, and she served as president of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom from 1915 to 1929. Addams was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931 for her work.
• Bertha von Suttner was an Austrian pacifist and writer who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1905 for her work to promote peace and disarmament. She was a strong advocate for the creation of an international court to resolve disputes between nations, and she helped to found the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague.
• Emily Greene Balch was an American economist and peace activist who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1946 for her work to promote peace through international cooperation. She was a member of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, and she served as its president from 1919 to 1922. Balch was also a strong advocate for women's rights and social justice.
• Wangari Maathai was a Kenyan environmentalist and peace activist who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004 for her work to promote sustainable development and peace in Africa. She was the founder of the Green Belt Movement, which has planted over 51 million trees in Kenya. Maathai was also a strong advocate for women's rights and democracy.
• Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani education activist who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 for her work to promote the education of girls in Pakistan. She was shot in the head by the Taliban in 2012 for speaking out about the importance of education for girls. However, she survived the attack and has continued to work tirelessly to promote the education of girls around the world.

The Challenges Faced by Women Peacemakers

Women peacemakers face a number of challenges in their work. These challenges include:

• Exclusion from peace negotiations and decision-making processes: Women are often excluded from formal peace negotiations and decision-making processes. This is due to a number of factors, including sexism, discrimination, and the lack of women in leadership roles in government and the military.
• Threats, intimidation, and violence: Women peacemakers may face threats, intimidation, and even violence from those who oppose their work. This is because their work challenges the status quo and threatens the interests of those who benefit from war.
• Lack of resources and support: Women peacemakers often lack the resources and support that they need to do their work effectively. This is because their work is often seen as less important than the work of men peacemakers, and because they may not have access to the same funding and networks.

Despite the challenges they face, women peacemakers continue to work tirelessly to build a more just and peaceful world. They are an inspiration to us all, and we should support their work in any way we can.

Not So Quiet...: Stepdaughters of War (Women & Peace)

by Helen Zenna Smith

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	549 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	308 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE