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Intersections of Violence Against Women and Militarism: Meeting Report

Authored by: Rachel LaForgia

Categories: Violent Conflict
Sub-Categories: National Security Forces and Armed Groups, Security Sector Reform (SSR), Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV)
Region: No Region
Year: 2011
Citation: LaForgia, Rachel. Intersections of Violence Against Women and Militarism: Meeting Report. New Brunswick, NJ: Center for Women’s Global Leadership, Rutgers University, 2011.

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Abstract

This report chronicles the key discussion points of the Strategic Conversation on Militarism and Violence Against Women, convened by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership (CWGL) at Rutgers University from June 9-11, 2011. The meeting brought together thirty feminist activists, academics and experts from around the world to: (i) identify and explore feminist perspectives of militarism; (ii) examine the intersections between militarism and violence against women; and (iii) develop global feminist strategies to challenge militarism. Discussions were structured around participants’ responses from the 2010 16 Days Campaign: (I) political violence against women; (II) the proliferation of small arms and their role in domestic violence; (III) sexual violence during and post-conflict; (IV) the role of state actors as perpetrators of sexual and gender-based violence; and (V) the roles of women, peace, and human rights movements in challenging the links between militarism and violence against women. The theme of political violence against women covered the factors that contribute to violence against women in the period during and after elections, as well as the nexus of violence against women, militarism and women’s participation in political processes. Discussions on the proliferation of small arms and their role in domestic violence revealed that militarized societies often see higher rates of domestic violence, in particular, and violence against women, more generally, as a result of the larger process of normalization of violence. The theme of sexual violence during and post-conflict explored both the role of sexual violence as a significant barrier to women’s safety and security and the effectiveness gap between international treaties to address sexual violence and implementation. Discussions of the role of state actors as perpetrators of sexual and gender-based violence highlighted the issue of impunity. Finally, the meeting concentrated on identifying strategies that the women’s, peace, and human rights movements can employ to both address and eliminate the links between violence against women and militarism. This report highlights specific, agreed upon strategies for action under each thematic area. In conclusion, two broad strategies to address violence against women and militarism emerged for CWGL’s work on violence against women in general and the 2011 16 Days of Activism to End Gender Violence campaign in particular: I. Conduct a global campaign to define human security; and II. Link the results to analyses of government budgets to better illustrate gaps between the ways in which civilians define security and state security.