{"id":6215,"date":"2015-09-30T10:15:55","date_gmt":"2015-09-30T08:15:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/openasia.org\/en\/?p=6215"},"modified":"2015-09-30T10:53:45","modified_gmt":"2015-09-30T08:53:45","slug":"announcing-the-formation-of-a-global-alliance-of-women","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/openasia.org\/en\/2015\/09\/announcing-the-formation-of-a-global-alliance-of-women\/","title":{"rendered":"Announcing the formation of a Global Alliance of Women"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Alliance\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Countering Extremism and Promoting Peace, Rights & Pluralism<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

We, the undersigned, are gathering to form an independent alliance of women-led civil society actors and organizations working to prevent and counter all forms of extremism. Our purpose is to bring synergy and greater coherence to our existing collective efforts, to advance gendered understandings of and responses to extremism, and to collaborate strategically in providing clear alternatives that bring a just peace for all.<\/p>\n

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On September 29, U.S. President Barack Obama will host the world leaders\u2019 summit on Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) at the United Nations General Assembly. Leaders will emphasize the need to balance military solutions for CVE with changes in socio-economic policies. They will note the important role of civil society in resisting extremism. They will highlight the need for gendered analyses and the role of women in promoting and preventing radicalization. We welcome their attention, but these insights are not new to us.<\/p>\n

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Collectively, our outreach extends to international, national, and grassroots women-led organizations that for close to thirty years have worked on the frontlines and warned against the rising tide of extremism cloaked in religious and ethno-nationalistic politics. From Asia and Africa to the Americas, Europe, and the Middle East, women\u2019s rights activists are the longest-standing socially-rooted, transnational groups mobilizing for peace, countering rising extremism, and providing an alternative vision for the future.<\/p>\n

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For years we have witnessed the complicity of some state and non-state actors in spreading extremist ideologies, weapons, and wars that are killing more civilians. We have insisted that extremism and state militarism are two sides of the same destructive coin, each fueling the other. We have heard the lip service that some governments pay to women\u2019s welfare while they stand by in the face of rising oppression. Through experience, we know that these problems are also exacerbated by decades of economic austerity programs that have shredded welfare programs for the majority while benefitting a small minority.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Women have led the struggle because regardless of region or identity they are usually the first to feel the direct impact of growing intolerance. Women who courageously work for peace, rights, and pluralism are often in the crosshairs of violence. Extremists often target them for recruitment or seek to them. State forces detain and harass them for leading communities in demanding justice, accountability, or simple basic services. Women are on the kill-lists of militias and gangs for daring to speak out against violence. They are threatened for questioning violence and discriminatory religious interpretations and practices, and they are targeted for providing youth with peaceful ways to express their faith and dignity.<\/p>\n

Despite these threats, we will not let violence determine our lives and collective future.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Today, extremists, occupation forces, authoritarian regimes, corrupt powers, and organized crime groups hold the rest of humanity hostage. Existing international policies are inadequate for preventing extremism. Economic sanctions and weapons sales exacerbate the suffering of many while often benefiting those promoting extremism. Governments spend billions on bombs and drones, knowing that military solutions alone provide no solution. Yet when citizens seek funds for schools, economic development, or humanitarian aid, leaders claim they cannot afford it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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What is truly unaffordable is the status quo. It is driving humanity toward perpetual war. This must stop.<\/p>\n

Our alliance will extend and strengthen existing networks led by women and help to realize a progressive vision of the world eschewing violence and rooted in universal rights, dignity, and equality. It will respect our diversity while uniting us across our shared humanity, hopes, and aspirations.<\/p>\n

The challenges are enormous and require the talent, commitment, and expertise of many. The alliance will provide a platform for collaboration across sectors\u2014civil society, private industry, media and the arts, academia, government, religious, and multilateral institutions\u2014working to harness peaceful and positive forces everywhere.<\/p>\n

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We will work proactively to inform public opinion and influence policymaking. We will echo and build on each others strengths and remain committed to bringing a gendered lens to humanize and inform solutions. We aim to be present, vocal, and active where and when state and non-state actors make decisions and implement policies related to extremism and militarism. We will critique and challenge ineffective policies and instead foster peaceful solutions and prevent the spread of violence.<\/p>\n

We invite the international community to walk alongside us. One thing is guaranteed: Our vision for a future of peace, justice, dignity, rights, pluralism, and prosperity for all is possible. Join us.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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For more information about the alliance and forthcoming activities please contact info@icanpeacework.org<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Founding Members and Current Supporters
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\nAsia<\/strong><\/span>
\nAfghanistan<\/strong>
\nMs. Guissou Jahangiri
\nExecutive Director, Armanshahr\/OPEN ASIA<\/p>\n

India<\/strong>
\nBharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan<\/p>\n

Malaysia<\/strong>
\nAsian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women
\nSisters in Islam<\/p>\n

Myanmar<\/strong>
\nWomen Peace Network – Arakan<\/p>\n

Pakistan<\/strong>
\nMs. Mossarat Qadeem
\nExecutive Director, PAIMAN Alumni Trust
\nMs. Bushra Qadim Hyder
\nExecutive Director, Qadim\u2019s Lumiere School
\nShirkat Gah Women’s Resource Centre<\/p>\n

Philippines<\/strong>
\nMs. Amina Rasul
\nPresident, Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy<\/p>\n

Sri Lanka<\/strong>
\nMs. Visaka Dharmadasa
\nChair, Association for War Affected Women (AWAW)<\/p>\n

Tajikistan<\/strong>
\nMs. Malika Jurakulova
\nLeague of Women Lawyers (LWL) of the Republic of Tajikistan<\/p>\n

Middle East<\/strong><\/span>
\nIraq<\/strong>
\nMs. Fatima Al-Bahadly
\nDirector, Iraqi Al-Firdaws Society
\nMs. Ala Ali
\nBoard Member, Iraqi Al-Amal Association<\/p>\n

Syria<\/strong>
\nMs. Dana Abdeen Ms. Abir Haj Ibrahim
\nFounder, Mobaderoon Active Citizens in Syria Ms. Ghada Rifai
\nFounder, Mobaderoon Active Citizens in Syria<\/p>\n

North Africa<\/strong><\/span>
\nTunisia<\/strong>
\nMs. Amel Grami
\nGender and Extremism Expert, Center for Strategic Studies<\/p>\n

West Africa<\/span><\/strong>
\nMali<\/strong>
\nMs. Djingarey Maiga
\nPre\u0301sidente, Femmes et Droits Humains<\/p>\n

Nigeria<\/strong>
\nMs. Hamsatu Allamin Gender Activist<\/p>\n

Europe<\/strong><\/span>
\nNorway<\/strong>
\nMs. Deeyah Khan Founder and CEO, Fuuse
\nUnited Kingdom
\nDr. Ziba Mir-Hosseini
\nProfessorial Research Associate, University of London &
\nFounding Member, Musawah Global Movement for Equality and Justice in the Muslim Family
\nMs. Sajda Mughal Director, JAN Trust<\/p>\n

North America<\/span><\/strong>
\nCanada<\/strong>
\nThe Honourable Mobina Jaffer,Q.C.
\nSenate of Canada &
\nChair, Board of Directors, International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN)
\nMs. Shareen Gokal
\nManager, Challenging Religious Fundamentalisms, Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID)
\nMr. Firdaus Kharas
\nFounder, Chocolate Moose Media<\/p>\n

United States<\/strong>
\nMs. Jamie Dobie
\nExecutive Director, Peace is Loud
\nMs. Roza Eftekhari
\nProgram Director, Institute for War and Peace Reporting
\nMs. Melinda Holmes
\nProject Consultant, Mobilizing Action for Women and Girls, The Carter Center
\nMs. Sanam Naraghi-Anderlini Co-founder and Executive Director, International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN)
\nMs. Karin Ryan
\nSenior Advisor for Human Rights, The Carter Center
\nMs. Sussan Tahmasebi
\nCo-founder and MENA Director, International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN)<\/p>\n

Latin America<\/span><\/strong>
\nMexico<\/strong>
\nMr. Rodolfo Domi\u0301nguez
\nJustice, Human Rights, and Gender Civil Association<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We, the undersigned, are gathering to form an independent alliance of women-led civil society actors and organizations working to prevent and counter all forms of extremism. Our purpose is to bring synergy and greater coherence to our existing collective efforts, to advance gendered understandings of and responses to extremism, and to collaborate strategically in providing clear alternatives that bring a just peace for all.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6223,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,63,90,89,5,85,43,18,11,65,122,88,48],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6215","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-afghanistan","category-calls-and-statements","category-editor-selection","category-events","category-geography","category-human-rights","category-human-rights-online-library","category-international-justice","category-issues","category-others","category-politics","category-slider","category-war-and-peace","Documents-conventions"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/openasia.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6215","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/openasia.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/openasia.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/openasia.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/openasia.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6215"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/openasia.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6215\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6219,"href":"https:\/\/openasia.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6215\/revisions\/6219"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/openasia.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6223"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/openasia.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6215"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/openasia.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6215"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/openasia.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6215"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}