Women have to play a major role in creating a more secure global environment
Women bear the maximum brunt; should have a greater say on issues of terrorism, environment and economic security: CSR
New Delhi, 16 November 2007—Women can play a major role in combating the threat posed by terrorism, environmental degradation and global economic insecurity, feels Centre for Social Research, a Delhi based institution working in the field of social action for more than 2 decades. In a paper presented at “The International Women Leaders Global Security Initiative” being organized from November 15 to 17 at Philadelphia, US, CSR has highlighted women’s close association with the issue of global security and terrorism. It has also emphasized a greater role for women at the level of family, community and country in creating a more secure environment.
“Women can play a major role in reinforcing the practice of saying ‘NO’ to any form of violence and injustice. It is the Gandhian way of solving the most serious threats being faced by mankind in the 21 st century. Unless 50% of the world’s population, who have a formidable record of living in harmony for centuries, contribute in a large way, the efforts to create a secure global environment may remain futile,” says Dr. Ranjana Kumari, Director, Centre for Social Research.
CSR feels that women leaders in India should lead initiatives to solve security issues in a democratic framework. Being surrounded by politically unstable neighbors, India, the largest democracy in the world, can be the driving force to influence democracy in South Asia.
“The voice of the poor and the marginalized can only be heard in a democracy. Women leaders will have to continuously explore non-violent ways of solving these complex issues,” adds Dr. Ranjana Kumari.
Tens and thousands of people die each day from hunger and poverty - including 30,000 children who die each day from preventable diseases. An additional 1.6 million people are lost each year to violence. Threats such as terrorism, environmental degradation, grinding poverty and pandemic diseases require the joint efforts of all leaders - both women and men. The organizers of the conference Mary Robinson, President, Ireland (1990 - 97) and Kim Campbell, Prime Minister, Canada (1993), feel that security of any kind cannot be effectively discussed or achieved with the involvement of only half of humanity. The accumulated experiences of the vast number of women leaders, now rising to power, must be brought systematically to bear on national and international policy.
The International Women Leaders Global Security Initiative, which brought together several influential leaders including Helen Clark, Prime Minister, New Zealand, Mary Robinson, President, Ireland, (1990 - 97) Madeleine Albright, Secretary of State, U.S. (1997- 2001), Tarja Halonen, President, Finland, etc., has been organized to cover 3 very important issues relating to economics of insecurity (E.g. agriculture & informal economy), terrorism and climate change with the goal of enhancing the effectiveness of women’s leadership on global security.
For more information, please contact:
Shreshtha Kumar, Alka Rawat
Communicators India
Tel: 011-26184642, 26182667
M: 9873077432, 9871804909
Email: communicatorsindia@gmail.com
Dr Ranjana Kumari
Director
Centre for Social Research
0 9810054264 |
