Description

Declaration of the African Women’s Anti-War Coalition

The Coalition was founded at the West African Workshop on Women in the Aftermath of Civil War (Dakar, Senegal, December 11-13, 1998) to bring together women on all sides of civil conflicts to initiate a dialogue on healing, to develop ideas to address the diverse problems of aftermath experiences, and to develop strategies to influence the process of democratic representation of women in achieving durable peace. In their Declaration, workshop participants recommend that all governments “make a firm commitment to end conflicts” and take “full responsibility for the facilitation of holistic reconstruction (social, psychological, physical, and economic) of society, taking particular note of women’s needs.” The Coalition states that societies become militarized in civil war and the militarization lingers afterwards. Such violence makes life difficult and dangerous for women, especially with the diffusion of cheap small arms. And violence against women does not stop when treaties are signed to end the war; in fact, violence escalates.

Africa, war and society — Africa; violence — violence against women; women — Africa

Citation: Social Justice Vol. 27, No. 4 (2000): 154-157