Women and Peace

Women and Peace: Such was the theme chosen by the United Nations for the International Women's Day this year. "This day, said Mrs Yacine Fall, Resident Regional Director of UNIFEM for Francophone Africa and the Magrib, will bear witness to the several resources that can be called upon to find a long-lasting solution to situations of conflict, such as the one currently taking place in Casamance. Mrs. Fall was speaking on behalf of the whole of the United Nations System Organizations present in Senegal to celebrate the 8th of March.

"From one end of the continent to the other, numerous women's associations are working actively towards peace and the creation of new channels of communication, seeking to open new spaces for a peaceful resolution of conflicts and the implementation of new forms of solidarity. Such initiatives must be supported and highlighted" (Zanzibar Declaration 1999*)

Léonie Sarr read the following poem:

"long live women
long live peace
long live Senegal"

At a well-attended event at the "Douta Seck" Maison de la Culture, situated in one of the most populous districts of the Senegalese capital, the Senegalese sociologist Fatou Sarr said that Education to peace cannot be done without women." She also underlined the difficulties that women are confronted with in Casamance, where they often have to cross the forest in order to find food for their families.

The picture on the right represents a political refugee in Senegal. The refugee woman is often confronted to extremely complex situations. With no choice but to face these difficulties to ensure her own survival, she must also meet the needs of her children and find a home for her kins. Thus, she is forced to turn to the national authorities of Senegal as well as to NGOs for support.

The collective of women traders of the Senegalese Economic Group (Co.Co.Ges) has as its motto: "Always at the forefront of the fight for the liberation of women through work"

Mrs. Carrie Marias, UNESCO representative, is in discussions with members of the Consultative Committee of the Ministry for the Family and Solidarity just before they take off for Ziguinchor where they will take part in the Solidarity March with women of Casamance.

Politics

Several well known women from the political sphere and the civil society were determined to express their solidarity by actively taking part in the event. Mrs Penda Mbow, known for her active involvement with the civil society, and recently appointed Culture Minister, said on the subject of the crisis in Casamance at a recent round table:" The conflict in Casamance is taking a decisive turn, because women have more than enough with rape, violence and exclusion. They are caught in a crossfire between the rebels and the army. They will now break away by putting their energy and skills at the service of the preservation of a long-lasting peace."

Mrs Aminata Tall Minister for the Family and National Solidarity	Mrs Penda Mbow, appointed Culture Minister since Saturday	M Wade, President of Senegal, receives the demands made by Senegalese women during the march.

The march

The day ended with the usual march of March 8th which ended at the Palace of the Republic where the women handed a document to the President of the Republic containing their peace-related demands.

Above left, a mother who has taken part in the march breastfeeds her child.

*Extract from the "Zanzibar Declaration: Women of Africa for a Culture of Peace" Conference under the aegis of UNESCO / "Women are mobilizing themselves in favour of peace and non-violence in Africa." (May 1999)