2024-Feb-18
580
14:00PM – 15:30 PM Nepali Time
Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu
Api (Bhrikuti Mandap)
Feminist's Vision For Peace

Global Feminist Forum

Thematic panel on

“Feminist vison for peace”

Feb 18, 2:00 pm to 3.30 pm

1. Background:

The world has been affected by conflicts and wars for centuries, and women have often been at the forefront of the suffering caused by these conflicts. From being victims of sexual violence to losing their loved ones in wars, women have borne the brunt of the devastating effects of war. Despite this, women have also been at the forefront of peace-building efforts, advocating for non-violent solutions and promoting dialogue and reconciliation. Feminist movements have long been advocating for a more inclusive and gender-sensitive approach to peace-building, recognizing the unique perspectives and contributions that women bring to the table. The thematic panel on the feminist vision for peace at the Global Feminist Forum is a crucial platform for addressing the longstanding impact of conflicts and wars on women, who have often borne the brunt of suffering. This panel seeks to shed light on the unique challenges faced by women in conflict, including sexual violence and displacement, and to emphasize the vital role of women in peace-building efforts. It aims to advocate for a more inclusive and gender-sensitive approach to peace-building, recognizing the interconnectedness of different forms of violence and the root causes of conflict, such as inequality and discrimination. With a strong focus on the feminist vision for peace, this panel aims to challenge traditional notions of peace and security, advocating for a holistic approach rooted in justice, equality, and respect for human rights. It will delve into the interconnectedness of different forms of violence, including gender-based violence, and seek to promote a broader understanding of security that encompasses economic, social, and environmental aspects. By embracing this vision, the panel seeks to inspire action and advocacy for a world where peace is not just a distant dream, but a tangible reality for all.

Objective

 To highlight the intersectionality of feminist movements with peace-building efforts, emphasizing the unique perspectives and contributions of women in peace processes.

 To advocate for a more inclusive and gender-sensitive approach to peace-building, aiming to address the structural inequalities and power imbalances that underpin conflicts.

 To challenge traditional notions of security and advocate for a broader understanding of peace that encompasses gender equality, human rights, and social justice.

Methodology & Agenda: (90 Minutes)

1. Opening Context Setting (10 minutes)

 Brief overview of the thematic panel's focus

 Introduction of the speakers and their expertise

2. Panel Discussion on Feminist Vision for Peace (40 minutes)

 Exploration of the unique challenges faced by women in conflict

 Emphasizing the vital role of women in peace-building efforts

 Advocating for a more inclusive and gender-sensitive approach to peace-building

3. Interactive Activity: Visioning Peace (20 minutes)

 Engage participants in a visioning exercise for a more inclusive and peaceful world

 Encourage sharing of ideas and perspectives

4. Q&A Session (15 minutes)

5. Call to Action and Closing Remarks (5 minutes)

Summarize key takeaways and encourage action steps

Speakers

1. Elena from Myanmar

2. Pramila Swain: Feminist Activist from INDIA

3. Juliet Were: Feminist Activist from Uganda

4. Devi Khadka : Socio Political Activist from Nepal

5. Kamala Vasuki from Srilanka

6. Moderator Prabha Poudel from Nepal 

  • Venue
    Api (Bhrikuti Mandap)
  • Cultural activity
    No
  • Duration
    90 Minutes
  • Get in touch
    Whatsapp and email
  • Modality
    physical and virtual
  • Language
    English
  • Other Language
    Nepali
  • Contact Whatsapp
    9852835818
  • Contact Email
    sabita.pokharel@gmail.com
  • Modality Link
    Click here
Organizer
Co Organizer
  • Name:
    WOREC
  • Name:
    Tarangini Mahila Adhikar Prashikshen Kendra (Tarangini Foundation)
  • Name:
    LOOM
  • Name:
    Nepal Mahila Ekata Samaj
Themes
  • Social Movements, Civic Space and Future of World Social Forum
  • Peace, Conflict, War, Occupations, Displacements, and Security
  • Women, Children, Youth, Adolescents, Aging people and Persons with Disabilities
Outcomes & Follow ups

World Social Forum -2024

Global Feminist Forum, 15-19 February, 2024 Square of Statement

Kathmandu Declaration

The Global Feminist Forum under the theme “Resisting Systemic Biases” convened ten thematic spaces and concluded that patriarchal structures driven by market led Neo-liberal policies, increasing Fundamentalism, militarization, and global corporate capture are primarily responsible for women’s and queer’s subjugation, control over bodies, violence and all areas affecting their lives. The politics of imperialist, fundamentalist and fascist regimes is proved to be the biggest cause of inequalities and wars which the world is witnessing now. War on West Bank of GAZA, UKRAINE, situation in MYANMAR, MANIPUR, AFGANISTHAN are some of the examples. In all kind of war, armed struggles, and military dictatorship, women suffer the most. We commit to strengthen community-led peace movements globally and demand a transformative feminist political system to encounter imperialist, fundamentalist and fascist regimes for a just world. More than 3000 Feminists from different movements all over the world demanded immediate ceasefire in Gaza and other countries and assert that these inequities can solely be rectified through autonomous feminist movements aimed at reshaping the power hierarchy.

We hereby declare the following statements.

  1. Global Feminist solidarity against structural inequalities is urgent. We commit ourselves to lead, participate and collaborate with different social movements and urge everyone’s solidarity.
  2. The union of capitalism, neo-liberalism, and patriarchy exploits women's labor at all levels in formal and informal sectors. Women’s and queer’s body has been part of global biopolitics which must end. This has affected sex workers, migrants, women working in different entertainment sectors the most. This can’t be addressed without reforming current exploitative neo liberal policies which have converted women’s work to care work and women’s bodies to a consumer profit making entity. The only path to replace this exploitative economic system is through transformative economic policies and redistributive justice system. This requires a social movement guided by feminist values. We commit ourselves to lead, participate and collaborate with different social movements and urge everyone’s solidarity for it.
  3. Food sovereignty is a right for global citizens. This can’t be fulfilled unless the present market led and for-profit food systems/mechanisms of production are dismantled; and restored by people centric food production and distribution mechanisms. We commit to build feminist food systems from community level and appeal for solidarity from all social movements.
  4. The global environmental degradation and ecological injustice is greatly impacting marginalized communities. We acknowledge the interconnectedness of gender, power, and environmental injustices. We demand for the urgent redesign of ecological justice to priorities feminist leadership, policy reform endorsing indigenous rights, addressing environmental racism and re-distribution of resources.
  1. Feminist knowledge is advanced through the analysis of intersecting issues, fostering the development of intergenerational leadership. To develop such leadership, young women and queer must scrutinize the intersections of capitalism, colonialism, and patriarchy, recognizing their impact on lives. We express our solidarity for building youth agency and movements to challenge and change oppressive systems through transformative feminist politics.
  2. Conflicts, intensified by militarization and capitalism, result in resource exploitation, violence, and inequality, with disproportionate impacts on women and children. Embracing a feminist peace perspective, we confront this nexus, prioritizing justice, equality, and human rights and demand for urgent ceasefire of the wars going around the world and a cap on arms production. We extend our global solidarity for dismantling oppression and cultivating a just, peaceful world. We demand proper reparation of all those who has been affected by all forms of violence during conflict, and war.
  3. Due to corporate centric economic policies and developmental paradigms, the poor, indigenous, landless and informal settlers, rural farmers are being evicted from their land and housing settlements. This is affecting women the most. We demand that this exploitation ends immediately. We commit ourselves to build the solidarity movement with women and other social movements to uphold and demand for people’s right to land and housing
  4. Discrimination based on caste, gender, religion, sexual orientation, language, disability, color of skin, migratory status, among others, are the worst form of Human Right Violations. Discrimination of any form should not be tolerated by anyone and anywhere. We demand that all forms of discriminatory policies, practices and values are dismantled immediately and ensured women’s and queer’s bodily autonomy. We commit ourselves to lead, be part of and extend our solidarity in all forms of anti-discrimination movements and appeal for solidarity from all movements.
  5. Market led economy compounded by unjust development and exportable policies, has converted people’s body into commodity leading to forced migration, refugee, trafficking and exploitation. We demand for the dignified and proper settlement of these issues and ensuring human rights of all refugees.
  6. In today’s digital world, as the artificial intelligence is becoming an everyday reality of humans, we recognize that different forms of crimes are being committed digitally and globally more than 92% of sexual harassment is faced by women through such crimes. We demand to end all forms of discriminatory policies, practices and values in any form of digital transmission. We commit ourselves to lobbying to promulgate laws and policies favorable to the marginalized communities, girls, women and LGBTQI community to combat digital crimes.
  7. We recognize that in all South Asian nation democracies are being eroded and people's basic freedoms like that of dissent, association, expression and movement are being suppressed, and media and judicial independence are being compromised. This is having a negative impact on the mobility of women, their right to meet families and other adverse impacts on family set ups. We demand to end all forms of discriminatory policies, practices and values in any form by the governments in South Asia and other regions which impact women. We commit ourselves to lobbying for favorable feminist policies in all countries.

Finally, we feminists around the globe are experiencing the Crisis of Democracy and shrinking civic space. These are thriving through manipulated electoral systems adopted by Authoritarian governments. The adherence to Human rights principles and the rule of law is no longer a priority for governments and thus Human Right Defenders are under attack (displaced, killed, humiliated, stigmatized). We acknowledge and observe that the UDHR (Universal Declaration of Human Rights) adopted 75 years ago requires an update to incorporate current challenges. We call upon every citizen to be a part of a people centered democracy movement anchored within human rights and feminist principles. We are committed to lead, be part of and in solidarity with all movements for the Democracy, human rights, Gender and ecological justice. Together we can make another world possible.

Signatories of GFF statement

 

To endorse the Global Feminist Forum's statement, please visit our website https://www.worecnepal.org/wsf.php

Or you can directly fill out the endorsement form below https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScPKNSmLp6xhng9jviM6_r38R53bE6DaB_qgD7VeigkNXgSfA/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.337733589=sjj. 

 

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