Militarism in Asia Pacific: Voices from the Grassroots

Day 1 3pm 2 hours English

While the United Nations is looking to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the International Day of Peace , there is no meaningful peace and justice for those suffering from militarism. The narratives of peace, security, democracy et al need to go beyond the traditional and hegemonic understanding being put forward by political elites. There is a need to look at issues of peace and justice from a feminist standpoint that challenge the existing narratives and put on table the voices of the most marginalised women. Women’s meaningful participation in bringing about peace and justice requires an in-depth understanding of their struggles that inform their everyday existence under militarism and shape their demands to feminist peace and justice.

To do so, the workshop will aim to bring forward the voices of women from different subregions within the Asia-Pacific who experience militarism however are not mute spectators of it, but are actively resisting against it. Through a nuanced understanding of women’s experiences, the workshop aims to envision an Agenda for Feminist Peace and Justice in the region that puts on table their demands peace, security and justice.

The workshop will have grassroots women activists, researchers and organisers who will discuss about militarism in their context, its impact on marginalised communities especially women, and how are they building a resistance towards it.

We have the following line-up of speakers:

Kham Mai, Shan Women’s Action Network, Burma/Myanmar

Dr. Azra Talat Sayeed, Roots for Equity, Pakistan

Jacqueline Ruiz, Kilusan ng Manggagawang Kababaihan, Philippines

Dr. Theresa Arriola, Our Common Wealth 670, Northern Mariana Islands