Women and Conflict Transformation in Asia, the Pacific, and the United States

As a physician and politician in Iraq, Dr. Nara Ibrahim is no stranger to risking her life in the name of progress. “As a female politician, I was subject to killing threats. Some of my friends and colleagues were kidnapped and killed,” she said calmly, adding intently, “I hope for a better future.”

The organic revolution that ousted the Tunisian president last week is unlikely to spread through the Arab world anytime soon. But Arab leaders have surely learned a good lesson. Never again will they underestimate the power of poverty. Unfortunately, they may continue ignoring the main force that is so essential for developing their countries' economies: Women.

As we approach the 20th anniversaries of the break-up of Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union respectively, this conference offers a timely opportunity to consider the causes and legacies of these historic events from the perspective of gender analysis and by examining women's lives in particular.

This August SCHAP teammates Jessica Davies and Nelson Powers went to Uganda on August 8, and then back again August 24th and 25th to visit and document the women there.

Trailer of We Women, a documentary that profiles a group of Sudanese women working towards peace in their country.

A guest post from Madeleine Rene, who volunteers for the International Rescue Committee in Haiti, educating women on their rights and ways to prevent violence:

Welcome to Women, War & Peace's podcast series with our host, Amy Costello. Each week, Amy will be talking to people who have responded creatively to the plight of women living in conflict zones.

Why would a woman join an armed group? Why would a woman become a suicide bomber?

Global connections

As we bid farewell to 2010 and usher in 2011 with a renewed sense of purpose, I'm proud of all the hard work that has been done by the Office of Global Women's Issues, our State Department colleagues in Washington and around the world to advance progress for women and girls across the globe. Just a year ago, Secretary Clinton announced that the United States was taking steps to put women and girls front and center in our development work.