'WOMEN MUST INFLUENCE CONFLICT RESOLUTION'

MAY 23, 2005 - (The Times of India) After all these years of promoting gender equality, violence against women seems to be rising. How do we remedy this?

It's not enough to address individual acts of violence. We must address structural causes and issues of social, economic and political inequalities. We need to address shortcomings in the criminal justice system. We need to bring on board change advocates and religious and political leaders.

But cultural and social prejudices against women are so ingrained, how do we change this?

People need to value women's work, give it the recognition it deserves. It is only when women have economic security and property rights that they can refuse to tolerate abusive or unequal relationships. But as long as they are dependent on men, they are forced into silence. We need to break this silence.

With growing conflicts around the world, what are the problems that women face?

Displacement is one, violence is used as a weapon to subjugate women and humiliate their men. We must understand that violence against women in peace intensifies during conflict. Women suffer immensely in camps, among populations fleeing conflict zones, and their only option is to look to men for protection. So the cycle perpetuates itself.

How successful have you been at bringing women into conflict resolution mechanisms?

We have insisted that women have to be able to influence outcomes of conflict resolution. We need to factor in problems like rape babies and HIV/AIDS. Just bringing warlords to the peace table can bring peace without justice. A security structure framed without women will be one which is weapon-based. Such peace accords break down.

What can be done to end the practice of female foeticide in India?

The whole economic system undervalues women. It goes to the extent of not allowing the girl child to survive. We need to lobby at the highest political level to make this problem really visible in the public eye.

Are you satisfied with the changes you have been able to make towards women's empowerment?

Yes, but much more needs to be done. Today, 120 countries have legal frameworks which provide for gender equality. But the problems of HIV/AIDS, poverty, trafficking and sweatshop labour all remain.

From: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1119277.cms