The strength, motivation of women in peace building

For some time now, across the world, the peace movement, or movement against the war, has been gathering momentum. Much as many argue that peace is an ideal or a non-exclusive value, keen observers note that in the global mobilisation for peace, women and young people, in general play a lead role. Moreover, because of her position in the family and her role in the education of children, the woman may well be one of the fundamental pillars for building global peace. Moreover, the absence of peace generally causes incalculable consequences on the whole society, but the victims are always the women and children. In this no less arduous process of building and consolidating peace, women have many strengths and their approach is, or will become, sooner or later, highly beneficial, not only for themselves, but ultimately for all mankind. Thus, the approach of women towards peace requires no justification. Women and education Everyone knows the role and place of women (mothers) in the education of children and youth in general. Whether it’s at the level of the family or to the nursery or primary schools, their presence is very remarkable. Particularly with regard to the family, the mother has a role of the first rank in the education of children. Because of the special bond that ties her to the child, especially in the first years of the child’s life, she gives this child the feeling of security and trust without which it would be difficult to properly develop his (child) own identity and then develop positive and productive relationships with others, as was once articulately stated by the late Pope John Paul II. Indeed, the young beneficiaries of education are future fathers and mothers and other officials at various levels of the life of their respective communities or countries. In fact, thanks to the social and human sciences, we know that during this important phase of early socialisation, individuals learn the modes of acting and thinking of their environment, internalise these modes, integrate them in their personality and become members of groups where they acquire a special status. Discreet power In reality, even if in public life men (male individuals) miss no opportunity to proudly show they would be the best masters of everything that takes place there, it is worth noting that women have naturally great power or emotional capacity that they often can deploy discreetly to guide and save a lot of situations in life. It is said also that, by her nature, the woman is usually a great mediator. In the Rwandan culture there is a saying: “umugore ni umutima w’urugo” (the woman is the heart of the home). Thus, women can use this soft and subtle power on their husbands, their children (or even their brothers), not only to bring or restore peace, but also to fight against all that can threaten this peace. And even more, when women are able to fully pass on their natural gifts (talents) to the whole community, the way in which society understands and organises itself is transformed, and offers a better picture of the substantial unity of the human family. Defence of peace Naturally, women are particularly sensitive to life because they are closely related or intended to be linked to the creation of human life. The birthing process involves, in a special way, women creating life. Thus, the defence of peace that allows life to flourish would be, for them, a logical extension of their work in favour of life. Similarly, when wars break out, it is generally women who pay the heaviest price. Finally, we can say that women have so many reasons to fight against war and strive for peace; always by peaceful means. The writer is a lecturer at the Institute of Agriculture, Technology and Education of Kibungo, INATEK.

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The strength, motivation of women in peace building