Women and Militarization Before, During and After Wars

On 14th November 2012, PeaceWomen in partnership with the Liechtenstein Institute on Self-Determination and Permanent Mission of Liechtenstein were pleased to host Professor Cynthia Enloe, research professor at Clark University (and WILPF member), as a part of a new lecture series on the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda.

Professor Cynthia Enloe is a pioneer in the field of feminist international relations. Her work has illuminated the exploitation of women, femininities and masculinities in political, globalization and militarization processes. From the factory floor to the lives of military wives – her work has been revealed how imperative it is to maintain a ‘feminist curiosity' and to take the lives of women seriously.

Professor Enloe spoke to the importance of assumptions, as they are the “things that go unsaid but motivate people”. She challenged participants to examine their own assumptions, and to reflect on how we may investigate, expose and challenge the assumptions of those we seek to influence in advocating for the implementation of WPS our every day practice.

She emphasized that “security” and the making of insecurity/security is a process, one that is deeply gendered, and often hinged on women's silence about their own experience of insecurity.

Speaking to an audience of practitioners and experts from civil society, the UN and member states, her presentation challenged, provoked and invited us to reflect upon and develop our own practice. It was a fantastic opening to our new lecture series on the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, and we look forward to more engaging events over the coming months!

Read the full event summary here