JASS' Role at the NWI's "Women Redefining Democracy" Conference

JASS was thrilled to play a significant role in conceptualizing, planning, and facilitating the Nobel Women's Initiative's international conference entitled Women Redefining Democracy for Peace, Justice and Equality that was held in Antigua, Guatemala from May 10-12, 2009. More than 100 women from around the world, including four women Laureates, gathered to examine the challenges of democratization, and to reshape democracy through the lens of women's experiences. The JASS community was represented by more than twenty women, including our allies Petateras and Feminist International Radio Endeavour (FIRE), who participated in the three day strategy meeting by speaking on panels, acting as moderators, and documenting the conference.

Addtionally, Lisa VeneKlasen, JASS Executive Director, collaborated with Alda Facio, a JASS Mesoamerica regional advisor, in authoring the concept statement of the conference. And the Declaration of the Nobel Women’s Initiative Conference on Women Redefining Democracy for Peace, Justice and Equality, was drafted by two JASS board members, Malena de Montis and Srilatha Batliwala, based on input from the participants. The declaration is available in Spanish as well.

Declaration of the Nobel Women's Initiative Conference

Declaration of the Nobel Women's Initiative Conference
on
Women Redefining Democracy for Peace, Justice and Equality
Antigua, Guatemala
May 10-12, 2009

[The declaration was drafted by JASS board members: Malena de Montis and Srilatha Batliwala with input from all participants.]

We call upon all states and multilateral institutions to recognize that the democratization process is incomplete, and does not end with elections. No country or society can claim to be democratic when the women who form half its citizens are denied their right to life, to their human rights and entitlements, and to safety and security. Despite this, we women have made extraordinary efforts to democratize the institutions of society that frame our lives and the well-being of all humanity – the family, the community, clan, tribe, ethnic or religious group, political, legal, economic, social and cultural structures, and the media and communications systems. But our search for justice is continually overwhelmed by the violence perpetrated upon us, by the exploitation and colonization of our bodies, our labor, and our lands; by militarization, war and civil conflict; by persistent and increasing poverty; and by environmental degradation. All of these forces affect us, and our children, far more severely and in unique ways. We know that democracy that comes from the heart is not the rule of the majority, but safeguards dissent and difference with equal rights, and fosters a culture of peace. We are in search of democracy that transforms not just our lives, but all society – and we will not be silenced until it is achieved in every part of the world.