WOMEN PEACEMAKERS: A PRE-REQUISITE TO SUSTAINABLE PEACE
Jeannette and her husband
Learning is one of my great passions in life. I believe that we continue to learn infinitely as life itself continues and is infinite. In the summer of 1985 I was hospitalized due to some digestive illness. I had already attended a little more than one year of graduate school in religious studies. It was decided then that it was in my best interest to care for my health first and I could wait for another opportunity to complete my studies.
A few years afterward, our family moved to my husband’s hometown in Minnesota. Our children were little and needed my full attention; yet I continued to feel confidence that an opportunity to continue my studies would appear when the time was right.
The opportunity actually opened up through online courses that became available through a distance learning program at the Unification Theological Seminary (UTS). I have finally been able to complete the required courses for the MA in Religious Studies!
This was really fortunate for me. I enjoyed every course I took. They encompassed many areas of learning that helped me develop a deeper understanding of God, the other world religions, world situations, and people that are different from me.
As Chairwoman of the Minnesota Chapter of Women’s Federation for World Peace, I took special interest in researching and studying to complete my thesis entitled the “Role of Women in Peacemaking”. This was based on an analysis of two case studies of women peacemakers and their unique methods and roles in reconciliation and peacemaking.
The first was Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge in South Africa and the second, Sakena Yakoobi in Afghanistan. These two brave and resourceful women took their present day circumstances to rise up against the historical as well as the modern day challenges for women to take a big and effective role in peacemaking.
These two women represent different religious faiths, cultures, and races. Their success in their peace work was in setting up their own unique styles, particular to their own faith and an understanding of their own culture. On this foundation they each were able to implement a very effective approach to their peacemaking work.
Both women realized that education is essential to elevate their own ability to use their skills and to take action to work for peace, reconciliation, and development. Their efforts to study, train, and develop their own special skills and knowledge in specific areas showed their commitment to bring the most effective and valuable peace work results. Leading by example through service and sincerity, they were able to move people, both men and women, to participate and to continue bringing unexpected changes in their own countries.
Sakena and Nozizwe
They encouraged and helped other women take the same opportunities to learn and continue to gain skills. This in turn helped to elevate the status of women at cultural and political levels. The participation of these women in peace work continues to bring real transformation at the societal level.
Both Nozizwe and Sakena, driven by their passion to end violence and to bring social justice, were willing to commit to long-term efforts for peaceful and real transformation. They recognized and accepted that they were not only to give immediate help, but they envisioned a plan to carry on to the end in order to achieve actual results.
They both also recognized the importance of involving other women to work together and find solutions to common problems. In this way, they helped to elevate the status of women and empower them to take leadership roles for sustainable peace activities in their communities.
They are truly examples of how women are actively contributing to peace work around the globe. Women peacemakers are working at different levels and in various ways to end human rights violations and especially the dehumanization of victims.
The case studies of the two women peacemakers show how crucial woman’s role can be in preventing conflicts and bringing about reconciliation. Also, they show that their approach of a long-term commitment to peaceful and ethical principles leads to peaceful and actual transformation.
The rise of women in the role of peacemakers as well as NGOs’ support of women in peace work shows how the involvement of women is taking a natural form. The examples of the two women that I studied and the support of NGOs in this effort show the creativity that women are capable of bringing to help resolve conflicts.
Also, as mothers and nurturers, women bring healing and reconciliation through their unconditional love and care to those in situations of need. It is their belief in God and their desire for peace that keep them committed in their unending efforts to attain lasting and sustainable peace.
Women’s contributions to peace are necessary. They bring these important and effective qualities that help in resolving the unrest in our world today, and in helping to realize sustainable world peace.
Women peacemakers prove to bring new and effective ideas to help bring peace in our world today. This is not to exclude the man’s role; but it is to empower and support women to utilize their unique abilities and skills that men do not have. For truly, men also have unique characteristics that women do not have that are needed in the peacemaking process.
Through my studies, I found there are two hopeful signs for women helping to lead the way for a real and lasting peace. There is a rise in women and women’s organizations taking responsibility for leadership in the peacemaking process. And, more importantly, their unique role is being recognized, supported, and encouraged.
I am especially thankful to my husband and family who were inspired and gave their whole-hearted support to my undertaking. I am also thankful to the UTS staff and faculty who gave me encouragement and guidance. It was a great journey for me to study and reaffirm much needed information and guidance to strengthen my resolve to understand God’s will for us all.
