As an activist-scholar, I have always been interested in the intersections between the two apparently separate worlds and have worked to ensure knowledge produced serves societal change towards equality and justice. I was thrilled to see this intersection in action at the World Congress for Middle Eastern Studies in Spain where several academics and grantee sisters showcased their collaborative efforts.

Anne-Marie Goetz is UNIFEM's Chief Advisor on Governance, Peace and Security. In a recent interview, she underlined the importance of mobilizing around the upcoming 10th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. If fully implemented, the resolution could dramatically speed up efforts to stop sexual violence against women in conflict and make women central to brokering peace.

UNIFEM Canada (Part of UN Women) President Almas Jiwani Addresses at the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Civil Society Policy Forum, Washington, D.C.

GENDER equality must be promoted in disaster risk reduction activities.

This was the call made by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights gender and conflict adviser Indai Sajor while addressing regional participants at a workshop by Fiji Women's Crisis Centre on eliminating violence against women.

Some 20 women from Kono district and the Western Rural Area have received training on breaking barriers and empowering women to participate in democratic politics.

The three-day training, which ran from 7 to 9 October 2010, was organized by the 50/50 Group of Sierra Leone in partnership with TROICARE at the Western Area Rural District Council hall, Waterloo.

Nine years ago, Swanee Hunt and Cristina Posa wrote an article for Foreign Policy called “Women Waging Peace.” They wrote,

“You can't end wars simply by declaring peace… Fundamental social changes are necessary to prevent renewed hostilities. Women have proven time and time again their unique ability to bridge seemingly insurmountable divides. So why aren't they at the negotiating table?”

Bringing her play about women in the military to the area in February will be a homecoming of sorts for Lisa Bowden, who grew up in Fair Haven.

“War ripples on,” said guest lecturer Dr. Cynthia Enloe, who spoke Friday on the ramifications that the three wars in one and a half generations have had on Iraq's social fabric.

Her lecture, “The Invisible Costs of War,” focused on women's access to paid work during wartime and traced the saga of Iraqi women's history in order to describe the social consequences of the Iraq war in human terms.

Walter Kalin: Many of them have found a kind of acceptable way of life but as many are living in very, very difficult conditions particularly in Baghdad there because there was no alternative they had to squat on the public land where they are illegally occupying public buildings. They are threatened by eviction.

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