From 24-25 September 2008 IANSA women including Leymah Gbowee, Women, Peace and Security Network Africa – WIPSEN-Africa; Binalakshmi Nepram of the Manipuri Women Gun Survivors Network, and Control Arms Foundation India; and Sarah Masters, WN Coordinator; along with allies from UNIFEM and UNINSTRAW, participated in the Women PeaceMakers Conference ‘Crafting Human Security in an Insecure World’ at the Joan B Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice, San Diego, USA.
This international working conference was organised to explore and address impunity, gender violence and exclusion that continues to obstruct peacebuilding and deny human security.
Ms Gbowee moderated a session on Protecting Civilians in Armed Conflict from Violence, including Sexual Violence: UNSCR 1325 and 1820. She also presented the documentary “Pray the Devil Back to Hell’ that chronicles the remarkable story of the courageous Liberian women - mothers, grandmothers, aunts and daughters, both Christian and Muslim - who came together to end a bloody civil war and bring peace to their shattered country.
Ms Nepram led a knowledge building session on women and micro disarmament based on her work and experiences in India.
Sarah Masters gave a presentation "Being part of the security process – controlling arms" as part of the session on ‘Advancing Inclusive Security in Multiple Settings.’ Her presentation included concrete recommendations for small arms control in DDR and SSR processes with reference to UN SCR 1325, and explained the need for the development and/or harmonization of both domestic violence and gun laws during post-conflict reconstruction.
For more details of speakers and a report of the conference see:
http://www.sandiego.edu/peacestudies/ipj/programs/women_peace_makers/con...