These were just a few of the questions discussed at a recent gathering of feminist activists from Syria, Libya and Nigeria, where they dissected the need to redesign the peace table — the literal and figurative spaces where governments, stakeholders and activists come together to negotiate the path to peace in conflict-affected areas. The discussion explored the persisting challenges and limitations related to the participation of women in their respective countries’ peace processes — and the urgent need to reimagine the existing peace table.
In a new publication as part of our ongoing Feminists in Conversation series, we share a look at the insights that emerged from this discussion and highlight the voices of the women who participated. Among these voices is Oula Ramadan, a Syrian activist with the organisation Badael, who emphasised the urgency of transitioning from “inclusion to influence”, and Joy Onyesoh, a Nigerian activist and President of WILPF Nigeria, who articulated how the constraints set by donors undermine women’s long-term efforts within challenged conflict-affected areas.
“It’s time to move from inclusion to influence. It’s not about who is sitting [at] the table but about what infrastructures and grassroots movements can be supported to have more inclusive peace processes.”
Source: Relief Web
