Women and Peaceful Coexistence
Prof. Fathia Mohammad Baheshwan
Social peace means the existence of a state of peace and human harmony within the environment of the lived society. It is described as a major element of the progress of society and the development of its construction, building individual societal relations, accepting the reality of the state of peaceful coexistence, and forging bridges of social communication between its various members and segments.
The social peace - in any society - represents the basic social base from which the members of the societies start to secure their religious, political, economic, social, educational and cultural coexistence...etc., and helps them ensure their security and stability, find sources of their livelihood and material interests. Within the framework of social peace, development, progress and construction can be achieved. Humanity knew coexistence - even if it did not use it as a term - in ancient times due to the similarity between the members of society and their need for each other; this is only done by coexistence with each other. Peace is a state of calm and serenity. The term peace is used as an antonym for war and acts of violence occurring in societies or in one society or its classes. Even in times of peace, people may enter into conflicts.
The consolidation of the principles of peaceful coexistence in society is a national necessity and a humanitarian duty that should be strengthened by believing in its essence. Peaceful coexistence represents the harmony of the people of one society with their different affiliations. What unites them is the existence of common bonds such as land, interests and a common destiny. Coexistence derives its existence through activating these bonds to build a social system based on mutual respect and freedom of opinion, behavior and thinking away from marginalization, authoritarianism and violence. Coexistence resolves many obstacles and intellectual and social problems that provoke and fuel conflict.
The concept of the culture of peace emerged after WWII. It has finally developed at the end of the last century on the basis that the culture of peace is a culture of coexistence and partnership based on the principles of freedom, justice, democracy, tolerance and solidarity. It is a culture that rejects violence and calls for solving problems through dialogue and negotiation. The 1992 Moscow Declaration on Peace also outlined a strategy for post-conflict peace building and reconciliation.
In 2000, the Security Council passed Resolution No. (1325) on Women, Peace and Security, stressing the need to take into account the privacy of women, to involve them in the processes of maintaining security and peace building, especially in areas affected by conflict, and to take measures to ensure their protection and adherence to the human rights of women and girls.
However, women still need: the necessity of their participation in all stages of peace processes and negotiations, peace education programs, and post-conflict peace building, motivating them to participate in awareness campaigns for peace, and adopting training programs and workshops targeting the political and social rehabilitation of them ...etc.
Hence, we come to the great role that women play in building peace. As their roles begins from within their families by promoting the culture of peace and noble values in their children and families. In this case, it contributes to making societal peace, so the country will be in a state of peace, security and safety. Civil society organizations also play a role in rehabilitating, training, supporting and guiding women in making peace and spreading its culture, so that women can play their roles. As women being an essential partner in consolidating the values of peace in society, the recent period witnessed a remarkable development in discussing women's issues and linking them to a number of other issues such as human rights, violence and achieving world peace. People's experiences have proven that the participation of women in all stages of peace making, works to strengthen and sustain it as well as to enhance the presence of women in decision making centers and build the future, cohesion among members of society, respect for its natural diversity with all its components and spectrums, and their sense of belonging to their homeland and society, all of which help to stabilize society.
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