Women Peace and Security October E-News 2017

More Life, Less Arms: Learning From Colombia Before The 17^th Anniversary Of UNSCR 1325

By Abigail Ruane, WILPF Women, Peace and Security Programme Director

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It is now almost one year after the Colombian government signed a peace agreement with the FARC-EP, and just a few months after the FARC-EP successfully laid down over 8,000 arms.  A couple of weeks ago, I had the privilege to join our WILPF sisters in Bogota and Villavicencio, Colombia to support the launch of a WILPF Colombia report “Women for Disarmament”, which called for not just disarmament of the FARC-EP, but disarmament of society as a whole.

At the Bogota launch of the report, WILPF Colombia shared their campaign, “+Vida -Armas!” (“More life, less arms!”) with over 300 participants, including women from the territories, indigenous women, lawyers, local authorities, government and UN actors. Women from around the country discussed the need to move away from military solutions and toward investments in livelihoods for feminist peace. On a panel of women ex-combatants, including from the FARC-EP and government, one participant shared a powerful reflection: “I used to have a love affair with guns. But eventually I found that they did not serve my purpose of social transformation. So I divorced them.”

After 50 years of armed conflict in Colombia, women have seen how cultures of machismo and proliferation of arms destroy opportunities for women’s political participation, livelihoods and peace. Through feminist movement building, women are creating an alternative world: one that demands a better future for women and all people, and that builds democratic leadership for non-violence, peace and security that makes a difference for women.

When I met with women peace activists and WILPF Colombia partners from the territories, they described a mixed picture in Colombia today: on one hand, the FARC-EP weapons lay-down and women’s engagement in several peacebuilding initiatives have improved the lives of many women in these areas, including around reduction in violence, improved access to employment, and increased security for children. On the other hand, there are increases in different forms of violence for women. Outside of the cities, in the territories, an absence of state engagement, increase in other militant groups, and ongoing narco- trafficking and corruption restrict women’s opportunities, freedom, and mobility. This is why WILPF Colombia’s campaign “+Vida -Armas!” (“More life, less arms”) calls on the Colombian government to strengthen arms control, ratify the Arms Trade Treaty, and support local feminist movements for peace.

Like the magic realism of Colombia’s famed Gabriel Garcia Marquez, the peace agreement in Colombia (like many places) exists in parallel, but not always consonant with, the lives and experiences of women at the grassroots level. Going beyond magic realism in Colombia and around the world requires flipping the way business as usual is done. Rather than top-down, action must start from the bottom up. Local women’s movement priorities on non-violence, empowerment, political participation and justice must be central.  Taking the time to cultivate democratic communities and women’s livelihoods is essential for feminist peace.

At the 17^th anniversary of UNSCR 1325 next week in New York, much will be said about the importance of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda. Many will point to good practice examples, like Colombia, on amplifying women’s voices for peace.  Recognising gains is important. However, the purpose of a peace agreement is not a stamp on paper, but a change in people’s lives.

As we come together in New York next week, the international community should remember the courageous and dedicated women peace activists in Colombia and around the world, and take action that prioritises their demands for more life and less arms. Women are leading the way. It is time -- and past time -- for the international community to step up.