Competition winner, Asako, presents her artwork to the Foreign Secretary, William Hague.In October we saw the launch of an exciting new campaign on women and conflict, No women, no peace. by Gender Action for Peace and Security (GAPS UK), a network of peace, human rights and development organisations including CARE International UK.
Women are a prime target in conflict. Yet when it comes to building peace, women are excluded. The No women, no peace. campaign seeks to ensure that women are included in peace building activities. Over the last twenty five years only one in forty peace signatories have been women. The message of the campaign is simple; you can’t build peace leaving half the people out.
The UK has a key role to play. Over the next year, No women, no peace. will create the momentum to move this issue up the public and political agenda. We will call on the UK Government to honour commitments made to women in conflict and we will report on progress in the autumn of 2011. At this important anniversary join us in taking action.
Visit http://www.nowomennopeace.org/takeaction to tell your MP to act for women and peace.
The No women, no peace. campaign kicked off with Foreign Secretary, Rt Hon William Hague MP speaking at the parliamentary launch in the House of Commons.
In his speech and the following Q & A, the Foreign Secretary recognized the importance of women’s involvement in building peace:
“No lasting peace can be achieved after conflict unless the needs of women are met- not only justice for the victims of crimes of war, but their active involvement in creating a society in which their rights are respected and their voices are heard.”
Following his speech the Foreign Secretary was presented with the winning No women, no peace. artwork by competition winner Asako Yanagita, commenting that it should have a prominent place in the Foreign Office.
Later in the week there was a public launch and celebration for the campaign at the Frontline Club in London. CARE International’s Campaigns Manager, Lee Webster, hosted the event and was joined by UK and Afghan women’s rights activists and finalists from the 2010 Funny Women Awards.
To take action, and for more information on the No women, no peace. campaign please visit www.nowomennopeace.org
