Money for peace makers

Armed conflicts bring destruction to societies, and disruption to their economies. Especially when armies operate far away from home, the military expenses are a huge burden for national governments and their budgets. Next to the immediate human cost, wars have a disastrous effect on trade and commerce, both on the local and global level. At the time of writing this 24 May pack, the stock markets in Tokyo, Amsterdam, London and New York had been going down alarmingly over the past few weeks. People fear economic crisis and its side effects: loss of jobs, mass unemployment, insecurity, increasing tensions between different groups in society. These tensions may bring new violence, and in this way the circle of violence is closed.

Women peacemakers worldwide have always advocated breaking this circle of violence. They have done so mostly with their own effort, lacking financial support at the structural level. Women rights activists worldwide find it difficult to find funds for their activities. The Fundher Reports by the Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID) even found that the financial resources for women’s groups have diminished drastically over recent years.

This 24 May package hopes to inspire women peacemakers and other women’s rights activist to discuss all the above mentioned issues in depth, in their respective fields: the costs of war, the benefits of peace, funding and fundraising. Let all women be shareholders in peace, so the stock market of peace never goes down! Peace is crucial for the well-being of all, now, and in the future.

Download the May 24 pack to read more