International Women’s Day: Between the victorious battles and those yet to be won
Today, on International Women's Day, we all come together and celebrate the economic, political and social achievements of women around the world. On this day, we take time to honour women who have made their mark and worked hard to set in stone the progress of women. We are [...]
Female Genital Mutilation: Words Are Not Enough
“Three women held me down as the midwife performed the surgery. They were all our neighbours. My mother and grandmother stood at the corner of the room. I cried for them to help me and stop those women, but when my cries got louder, my mother joined the other [...]
How to Include Women Peacebuilders at Peace Tables and Share Power With Them
It was a Canadian who first suggested the creation of the United Nations peacekeeping forces in the 1950s. Canadian former prime minister Lester Pearson, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize and father of modern day concept of Peacekeeping said, “The best defence of peace is not power, but the [...]
On Human Rights Day: Stand with the Youth, Stand with the Girls
Today, the world celebrates the adoption of the Universal Declaration for Human Rights by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. It has been over 70 years since the Canadian John Peters Humphrey wrote the first draft of the Declaration and the world committed to protect the rights and [...]
On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women: Envision a World without Violence
Enclave, Ottawa Women's Monument - Minto Park, Ottawa, Ontario Canada “To honour and to grieve all women abused and murdered by men Envision a world without violence where women are respected & free”. This is the engraving on the Enclave, Ottawa Women’s Monument which lies only 3 [...]
Why do we need Women Peacebuilders at Peace Tables?
“We, as women, have the highest stake in peace,” a Yemeni woman peacebuilder said. She was directly involved in resolving many local conflicts. She mediated to evacuate children trapped in the crossfire and resolved an armed water dispute. She was among a group of women who mediated to open [...]