WOMEN, PEACE AND SECURITY: ERITREA

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UNIFEM WOMEN, WAR AND PEACE WEB PORTAL: ETHIOPIA/ERITREA

" The issue of equal participation by women is not simply an issue of gender equality and human rights but could represent the decisive factor in maintaining peaceful development in a troubled region."

L.Seyoum, Eritrea

" Eritrean women have the ability to work at the grass root level very efficiently.[…] Without the participation of women, I believe much would not have been accomplished in Eritrea. During the 30 years of war, 35% of the EPLF freedom fighters were women, and now in Eritrea one out of four soldiers on the front line is a female soldier. Partly due to their role in the 30 years war for independence, women are now more empowered than others in Africa. Though we see a more equal society, women's participation at all levels of government is crucial for women to have a strong voice in decision making, or peace processes. More women need to be get involved in politics and in other prominent positions in government.[…] The main strategy used by women's groups is by being advocates for peace. Eritrean women have participated in world-wide demonstrations to bring about an end to the war.[…] Women have used their unity to appeal to the people on the other side of the conflict, thus along with demonstrations, women have participated in campaigns for collecting signatures from both Ethiopians as well as Eritreans and have become voices for peace."

Eden Fesshazion, 4 November, 1999