The Role of Women in Peace-Building: a Sri Lankan Perspective
Publisher: Relief Web
Author(s): Ravinatha Aryasinha
Date: 2015
Topics: Dispute Resolution/Mediation, Gender
Countries: Sri Lanka
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a privilege to have this opportunity to be with you today and to address the Ambassador's Luncheon Series. Building on the last session of the Geneva Peace Conference - 'Mobilizing Civil Society for Building Peace' held on 24 October 2014, where the focus was on the intermediary role played by civil society through advancing education, journalism and freedom of religion, today I have decided to focus on the specific role played by women.
Of all non-State actors, the role played by Women, as part of civil society, must be regarded as a particularly important catalyst in building peace. Given the large number of inter-state and intra-state armed conflicts and associated violence and ensuing violations of human rights, what we sadly hear and see are women and girls often being affected differently to their male counterparts. It is a sad reality that women are particularly vulnerable and are often ‘victims’ of these dire situations.