More Than Victims: The Role of Women in Conflict Prevention (PDF)

On September 12, 2002, the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and Women Waging Peace co-sponsored a conference entitled "More than Victims: The Role of Women in Conflict Prevention." The aim of the meeting was to move beyond the stereotypical images of women as victims in conflict and to explore their complex experiences as fighters, peacebuilders, survivors and protectors. This report provides a summary of the panel presentations and rich discussions that followed. While highlighting many of the challenges that remain, it provides concrete examples of how the international community in general can support women’s efforts and peacebuilding processes.

Executive Summary

Introduction

Opening

Setting the Stage: Revisiting Women, Peace and Security Issues

• Where We Are: UN Security Council Resolution 1325
• The Impact of Armed Conflict on Women and the Role of Women in Peacebuilding
• Promoting Women’s Political and Economic Participation:A U.S. Foreign Policy Perspective

Women During Wartime: Organizing for Peace

• Kashmir
• Nigeria

Peacemakers, Peacekeepers and Peacebuilders: The Importance of Women in Conflict Prevention

Women in Post Conflict Situations: Building Capacity in the Peacebuilding Process

• Afghanistan
• Rwanda
• El Salvador
• Lebanon

Conclusions

Appendix I:Agenda

Appendix II: Biographies of Presenters and Moderators

Appendix III: Participant List

Appendix IV: Summary of subsequent meeting,“Bringing Women to the Table: Identifying Strategies for Enhancing the Role of Women in Peace Processes Around the World”