Peace by Piece – 3 Day International Women’s Peace Conference

11 June 2008 in Global, Northern Ireland, Violence Against Women, War Conflict, Women's Event, Women's Group

24 -26 June 2008
Waterfront Hall, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Interesting Facts
- 95% of all direct violence is committed by men
- Wars occur more frequently where the political representation of women is lower
- Domestic violence increases in the transition from conflict
- 80% of conflict-generated refugees are women and children
- Two thirds of those seeking help from victims groups in Northern Ireland for conflict-related trauma are women
- The only national parliament to have achieved 50% representation of women is the Welsh Assembly

Armed conflict disadvantages women. In Northern Ireland, the priorities of conflict were constitutional issues, the question of national identity and equality between the conflicting groups. Issues that impacted more upon women, such as education, health, childcare, gender equality and social welfare, were less important to the conflict priorities. In addition, women were the sustainers of family and community while conflict raged around them. They were left to pick up the pieces and rebuild communities after the violence passed. Dealing with the legacy of conflict, therefore, requires the empowerment of women to make up for years of lost time, to develop and participate where the mechanisms of conflict has excluded them and take their rightful place in the design and development of a post-conflict society.

The focus of this three-day conference is to bring women from Northern Ireland, Europe and international arenas together to reflect, share, strengthen and celebrate the positive role of women internationally in times of conflict, stepping into transition and moving towards a future where women participate equally on a political, social, economic and judicial level.

After a long legacy of suffering, Northern Ireland is now emerging from 30 years of conflict. 2008 is the 10th Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, an all-Ireland Agreement which commits to peace and democracy and building a society based on equality and justice.

We are inviting delegates to come to Belfast to share their own experiences and in particular gain an insight into the diversity and strength of the women’s sector in Northern Ireland and the role women have played in strengthening communities and contributing to politics and policy development.

See original posting in full on womensgrid at http://womensgrid.freecharity.org.uk/?p=86