“The impact of war on women is universal but their approaches to solutions are diverse” (Isis-WICCE, November, 2009)

In collaboration with the Women’s Rehabilitation Centre (WOREC), a Nepalese based Non Governmental Organisations with over seventy networks across Nepal, the 2009/2010 Isis-WICCE Institute that is being held in Nepal has brought together a total of 35 women human rights activists from 14 countries from conflict and post conflict situations. The two weeks long institute that will run from 15th-27th November 2009 will enable participants to acquire skills on understanding of conflict and tools of analysis, human rights mechanisms and the documentation of women’s realities.  These modules form the foundation for the basic peace education programme to enable them develop capacity to address the deficit of women’s leadership in armed and post conflict settings. The institute theme is “Human rights, human security and participation: Documenting women experiences of armed conflict”.

At the opening ceremony that was held on 25th November, 2009 in Agni Hall in Kathmandu city and was attended by senior government officials, women human rights activists and human rights defenders, Isis-WICCE and WOREC emphasised the importance of upholding women human rights at all times as basic foundations of ensuring sustainable peace and genuine transformation of societies.

“This institute is a great opportunity in the lives of Nepalese women”, noted the Chairperson of WOREC Dr Rene Rajbhandari. “It provides space for women to document their stories, experiences and their activism that will be disseminated to give meaning to their lives…we need to adopt all possible strategies to have harmony in society  as I believe no one can meaningfully talk about peace without talking about rights. This institute enables women to champion the campaign of women’s rights themselves”. She called on all those engaged in the drafting of the Nepalese constitution to ensure social justice and equality as important aspects in solving the problems of women.

The opening ceremony was an interactive moment where participants from different countries affected by conflict shared their experiences about violence in their countries. These included sexual abuse, lack of democratic governance, denial of identity and dignity as well as forced displacement and migration.  The women also shared the best practices such as coalition building to form a constituency of women human rights defenders to support the survivors of conflicts.

The activists also challenged decision makers at all levels across the globe to recognise that women are not homogeneous and that there’s a critical need to consciously recognise the different special needs especially among women with disabilities whose concerns and needs continue to get marginalised in post conflict recovery programmes. 

During the occasion, Nepalese women with disabilities left participants and policy makers humbled when they graciously articulated their issues through body language in songs and dances.

Policy makers who attended the function recognised the importance of building the capacity of women to enable them fight for their rights. The Vice Chairperson Nepal Constituent Assembly Hon. Kumari Subedi who officiated at the function expressed satisfaction with the Institute objectives that aim at building the capacity of women leaders. “…the rights of women are always violated in all settings and viable strategies must be sought to enable women raise their voices and firmly talk about their rights. This institute is an important landmark in the lives of Nepalese women because it gives them an opportunity to interact with other women from other areas. This will make them understand their rights and learn how to fight for them and defend them. Ensuring everyone’s rights particularly those of women is the basis of having sustainable peace in our communities”, she emphasised. She was happy the programme will help women to learn and participate in documenting their experiences which are important for transformation.

The Executive Director Isis-WICCE, Ruth Ojiambo Ochieng said that holding the Institute in Nepal is very important because Isis-WICCE will learn from the experiences of the Nepalese women who in spite of the problems they experienced during the long conflict; have worked with their government to become active defenders of the rights of those women who were affected by conflict and violence. She said that the institute will help empower them further and enable them engage and become partners with government in defending the rights of women. “…the women from other parts of the world who have come for the institute have wonderful experiences which Nepalese women can learn from…this will help you to build your capacities to be effective agents for change and transformation in women’s lives and your communities”, she affirmed.

Nine participants from Liberia, Ghana, Nigeria, Iraq and Afghanistan however did not manage to attend the Institute because they could not get their Nepalese visas in time because of diplomatic and immigration concerns that were not resolved between organisers and Nepalese immigration authorities to enable them travel.