“How we can bring about peace and cessation of war through education, women empowerment and music”
An excerpt of my talk delivered in India Habitat Centre
The role and contributions of women and youth to the Culture of Peace is not only important because women and young people represent the majority of the global population —But also because women and young people are key drivers of the radical change of mindsets, institutions and cultures that we seek.
The promotion and achievement of gender equality and women’s empowerment is both a means and an end for the deconstruction of militarism, negative sensibilities which glorifies violence and aggression, and undergirds the culture of war in all its insanity and senseless assault on humanity.
We need to understand that we have but one Earth shared by one humanity. So there must be a clarion call for a war against the culture of war, such that it will diffuse women-centred values throughout society and the world.
“Through education, we broaden the horizon’s of each child. Through education, we raise leaders who act with wisdom and compassion. Through education, we establish a true, lasting culture of peace.”
With women — mothers, grandmothers, and other family members — often being the first teachers of children, they can play a vital role in educating young people to value peace and not war. As Jane Addams said: “Peace is not merely an absence of war, it’s a nurture of human life and, in time, this nurture will do away with war as a natural process.”
The role of women in achieving a culture of peace is a given fact and has also been affirmed by the United Nations,
As a firm worker on gender equality and the empowerment of women, SAKSHI strives to promote women’s ability to strengthen peace and dialogue within their communities. At all levels, we work to amplify the voices of women in peace activities and facilitate their access to peace and security decision-making. We support women’s groups to empowerment through the socio political process in India – formation of Mahila Panchayats and Self help groups. In which local women leaders mediate and resolve local and domestic conflicts before they escalate into violence. The workers also refer women to services, liaising with local police , medical and legal processes, and engaging in local peacebuilding efforts.
We work closely with Delhi Govt’s initiative – dial 181 helpline, as a women’s empowerment centres where sexual and gender-based violence-prevention activities and referrals take place.
Empowerment means that women get Access to services such as reproductive health care, access to justice, livelihood support and psychosocial counselling.
While the economic benefits of educating girls are similar to those of educating boys, recent findings suggest the social benefits are greater.
Women have the potential to change their own economic status and that of their communities and countries in which they live yet usually women’s economic contributions are unrecognized, their work undervalued and their promise undernourished.
Unequal opportunities between women and men hamper women’s ability to lift themselves from poverty and secure improved options to improve their lives. Education is the most powerful instrument for changing women’s position in society.
Investing in women’s and girls’ education is one of the most effective ways to reduce poverty.
education at the core of women’s ability to contribute to all activities, working to enhance knowledge, competency and skills, including in the development process and in their contributions to civil society.
Education is much more than reading and writing. It is an essential investment countries make for their futures, a crucial factor in reducing poverty and achieving sustainable development.
Education is important for everyone, but it is a critical area of empowerment for girls and women. This is not only because education is an entry point to opportunity but also because women’s educational achievements have positive ripple effects within the family and across generations.
A girls education empowers not just the individual, but families, communities and economies
As a result of her education we all benefit
With respect for life and its corollary – non violence , values which are vital to the well being of any neighbourhood
We in India are a leading example of a unique cultural cohesiveness, the Ganga Jamani Tehzeeb where for centuries diverse religons and ethnic groups have worked out a way of living in peace and harmony with respect and tolerance for each other
We need to understand that we have but one Earth shared by one humanity. So there must be a clarion call for a war against the culture of war throughout society and the world.
We in India are a leading example of a unique cultural cohesiveness, the Ganga Jamani Tehzeeb where for centuries diverse religions and ethnic groups have worked out a way of living in peace and harmony with respect and tolerance for each other
If we are to leave behind a better future for the generations to come, we need to ensure the empowerment of women, free and fair access to education and a preservation of the cultural fabric of Society which ensures a crime free and empowered community
Be a voice for the voiceless
