ISFiT: Voices of Change - Women in peacebuilding

ISFiT19 are pleased to announce that the first female prime minister of Norway, Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland, Nobel Peace Prize Winner Tawakkol Karman, and women’s rights activist Kirthi Jayakumar are joining us to discuss women's perspective on and contribution to peacebuilding, and how women can be the voice of change. To moderate this event we are welcoming Gro Lindstad, executive director of FOKUS.

Conflicts, war and lack of opportunities affect both men and women, and are often the reason for both voluntary and involuntary migration. In the aftermath of conflicts, women continue to face obstacles such as organising security measures and facing, gender-based violence and lack of resources. There is a broad evidence that women make a difference in peacebuilding, and that an increase in women's participation often results in strengthening women’s position in the community and on a national level. When women participate in peacebuilding, reconciliation and peace are also more long-lasting.

Peacebuilding is more than dealing with conflict and war, it is also about establishing basic human rights and equal opportunities. Women have strived for their voices to be heard, and for sustained peace and social change. How can it be, that women still are underrepresented in the decision-making today?