Rising up in Response

by Jane Barry

This study, emerged from the unusual perspective of the Urgent Action Fund, aims to contribute to that challenge – to find out more about women’s activism in the face of armed conflict and its aftermath, and to recommend to the international community and its partners how future action can be undertaken that will ensure that the vital contribution of women does not continue to be lost or ignored.

183 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Rushikesh Pokar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a compilation of a research focusing on the women's activism, their struggle during and after conflict, and their relations with different actors taking part at various stages of a conflict such as family, society, politicians, international forces, local forces, funding agencies etc. the results and conclusions are derived on the basis of 56 interviews of more than 80 women activists working in Kosovo, Shri Lanka, and Sierra Leone during 2003-2004. It delves into relatively unknown discussions on [1] how the activists get grants and how different grants work either in favour or in opposition to the actual ground work. [2] how access to transportation, communication, and safe work spaces is a crucial and necessary aspect of activism within any conflict ridden area even after securing grants. [3] how violence against women and women activists is carried out by not only by the conventional criminals but also by the family members, high ranking local officials, local and international troops deployed for peace keeping purpose; and how certain types of violence continue even after the resolution of the conflict. [4] how the women activists are ignored by the local and international bodies when planning for the various policy makings on the women's lives in these zones. [5] how women's activism works differently in urban vs rural areas as well as at local vs international levels.
In brief, this book provides a nuanced understanding of the realities faced by many women's right activists working in conflict and the recommendations to improve the situation.