STATEMENT AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE WORKSHOP ON ‘WOMEN AS AGENTS OF PEACE, RECONCILATION AND DEVELOPMENT’
Preamble It is a well known fact that women have been dehumanised by the many wars and conflicts in Africa, that they have been subjected to the worst forms of violence including rape and other forms of sexual assault, have been both internally displaced and at times made refugees and widows by the wars. Indeed violence against women and rape in particular have become a much used weapon of war. African women have witnessed their children, husbands and other relatives killed, brutalized or die from effects of conflicts. They have seen the disappearance of their kin with some forcefully recruited join different warring factions as sex slaves porter and even as active combatants. They have suffered immeasurable trauma, physical disabilities and loss of livelihoods and opportunities. It is also true that in spite of all these, women have been the first to break the walls of enmity created by conflicts and wars by reaching out to women from the opposite side. Women’s experiences therefore need to be tasken into account and women must be an integral part of the various peace processes aimed at ending conflicts and building sustainable peace. The devaluing of women’s role as agents of peace is not by coincidence.
The dominance of patriarchy Sexism, negative constructions and practice of masculinity, have all come together to marginalize and exclude women. Bearing this in mind we the women and men meeting at the 9th General Assembly of the All Africa Conference of Churches from 7th – 12th December 2008 in Maputo, Mozambique recommend the following to the Churches in Africa
1. With regard to our theology – We denounce interpretation of the Bible that continues to marginalize women by through the use of exclusive language, symbolism and imagery. We call for the promotion of contextual bible studies and for the re-reading of the bible through the eyes of women. – That theological education in Africa be engendered to bring out the reality that both male and female are created in the image of God and are equal (Genesis 1:27) – We declare that male domination is not acceptable to God and should be condemned. We call upon the church to declare patriarchy a sin. – We call on the Church to support, affirm and encourage female theologians and clergy
2. With regard to women as agents of peace and reconciliation - Value and affirm women’s roles in the informal peace processes which in many instances are the beginning of healing and reconciliation at the community level - Capacity enhancement and skills development to equip women to better play their role as agents for peace and reconciliation especially in formal peace process - Utilize women already skilled in areas of peace building and conflict transformation and call upon the churches to include them in peace delegations to warring parties - Recognize, affirm and celebrate women’s nurturing role as an avenue for instilling and establishing a culture of peace
3. With regard to the role of the church in empowering women - Lead by example by increasing women’s representation in all their structures and in particular the in leadership decision-making levels - Raise awareness on issues and concerns affecting women in times of conflict - Awareness raising and advocate for the implementation of international instruments that promote the role of women in peace building and uphold the protection of women in conflict and post conflict situations (AU Solemn Declaration on gender equality and women’s empowerment, the AU charter on the rights of women, UNSCR 1325, UNSCR 1820, CEDAW, etc) - Establish, strengthen and support women’s/gender desks as hubs connecting and coordinating various gender mainstreaming efforts across programmes and also to serve as support systems to women. - To lobby, advocate and/or promote the inclusion of peace education in school curriculum. - To avail funding for response to women issues identified herein.
4. With regard to gender based violence and other challenges/factors hindering women’s role as agents of peace, reconciliation and development - The Church is called upon to speak out against female genital mutilation (FGM) and other harmful traditional practices which demean women and are used as some of the means of controlling women and especially their sexuality. - Encourage the church to break the silence surrounding violence against women and to also actively engage/participate to break the cycle of violence through campaigns such as the Tamar campaign; the provision of safe spaces to survivors of violence and provision of services that contribute to trauma healing and the restoration of the dignity of those who have been violated. - Address the issue of women’s reproductive health in view of the increasing gender based violence in conflict situation - Include men in the fight for gender equality and the promotion of gender justice. - Focus on young boys to break the cycle of negative construction and practice of masculinity and patriarchy
5. With regard to AACC Programming - Re-establishment of the Women’s Desk as the mechanism to facilitate follow-up of gender and women issues at the continental and sub-regional level. - To declare the period between the 9th and the 10th General Assembly as a period to mobilize highlight and take action and strengthen on-going initiatives on gender based violence.
6. A call to the General Assembly - To come up with a declaration on the situation of women in Democratic Republic of Congo, Darfur in Sudan, Somalia and Zimbabwe
