Gender, War and Peace | Madeleine Reese | TEDxLausanne

Summary

The speaker, a feminist and former head of the UN Human Rights office in Bosnia, discusses the gendered nature of war and peace, drawing on her experiences in various conflict zones. She emphasizes the importance of challenging militarized security and gender assumptions, advocating for a shift towards non-violence and equality. She calls on individuals to apply personal values to public life, pushing for systemic change towards peace and ending the cycle of conflict, urging action to ensure future generations can live in a more peaceful world.

Takeaways

• 😀 Personal happiness can be disconnected from the state of the world, as many people are concerned yet still personally happy.
• 👤 The speaker identifies as a feminist and discusses the importance of feminism in addressing gender-related issues.
• 🌍 During her time in Bosnia, the speaker learned about the exploitation of women by peacekeepers, highlighting the need for institutional change.
• 🏛️ The United Nations was criticized for not acting against the exploitation, showing a preference for protecting the institution over individual rights.
• 🔄 The speaker's experiences in various war zones have taught her about the political economy of peace and war, which is highly gendered and influenced by other identities.
• 👩‍🍳 Women in conflict zones, like the Syrian woman and Annie in the DRC, are actively working towards peace and inclusion in decision-making.
• 🌐 The political economy of peace, if not based on equality, can lead to war, emphasizing the need for a global approach to conflict resolution.
• 💰 The world spends a staggering 1.5 trillion dollars annually on weapons, which could be better used to address global issues like poverty and climate change.
• 🏛️ The United Nations was established with the goal of eliminating war and promoting peace, but it struggles with effectiveness due to a focus on warring factions rather than the people.
• 🔄 The speaker challenges the audience to embrace non-violence and challenge gender assumptions to contribute to a more peaceful and equal society.
• 🌟 The call to action is for individuals to stand up for humanity and work towards a peaceful coexistence, using personal values to influence the public domain.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the speaker's discourse on gender and peace?

The main theme of the speaker's discourse is the intersection of feminism, peace, and the political economy of war and peace, emphasizing the importance of gender equality and non-violence in preventing conflicts and fostering a just society.

What significant lesson did the speaker learn during her time in Bosnia?

The speaker learned about the structure, institution, and individuals, particularly how peacekeepers were sexually exploiting trafficked women and how the United Nations chose to protect the institution over individual rights.

Why did Jane Addams bring 1,300 women to the Hague in 1915?

Jane Addams brought 1,300 women to the Hague to protest the First World War and to make known its causes, which she identified as inequalities between peoples and nations and a militaristic mindset.

What does the speaker suggest is the root cause of wars?

The speaker suggests that the root cause of wars is the political economy of peace that is not based on equality, which can lead to war, and it involves power dynamics and gendered identities.

How does the speaker view the role of militarized security in society?

The speaker views militarized security as problematic because it promotes a violent masculinity and uses fear to justify its existence, which can lead to an exponential growth in weapons and perpetuates a cycle of violence.

What does the speaker argue could be achieved if the world's military spending were redirected?

The speaker argues that if the world's military spending were redirected, it could be used to end extreme poverty, hunger, educate every child, address climate change, and tackle gender inequalities.

What was the objective of establishing the United Nations according to the speaker?

According to the speaker, the objective of establishing the United Nations was to save future generations from the scourge of war and to create a multilateral system where war would be eliminated in favor of political solutions.

What challenges does the speaker propose to the audience?

The speaker proposes two challenges: to live in a non-violent way and to challenge gender assumptions, emphasizing the need for a collective effort to push personal values into the public domain.

How does the speaker define the concept of 'militarized security'?

The speaker defines 'militarized security' as a form of security that relies on military force and a violent masculinity, which can perpetuate violence and is often used to maintain power structures and inequalities.

What does the speaker suggest is the role of diversity in society?

The speaker suggests that diversity is a strength in society, and that celebrating differences can lead to a more inclusive and peaceful coexistence, rather than using those differences to create fear and division.

What does the speaker mean when she says 'I stood up for Humanity'?

When the speaker says 'I stood up for Humanity,' she is referring to the act of advocating for human rights, equality, and peace, and taking a stand against violence and injustice, in order to create a better future for all.