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Women, Peace and Security 

  • General Aim

    ‘Peace in the home to peace in the community’ remains a major issue for Jiwakans. With a history of coerced marriage, bride price, polygamy, sorcery accusations related violence, harmful traditional practices and child brides, the security of women and girls is fragile. Jiwaka Province has seen some decline in tribal fights in recent years but family and clan conflicts remain prevalent, mainly due to land, politics, drug and alcohol related violence issues, as well as political election periods. Cycles of conflict are long-lasting and destructive, displacing thousands of people across the Highlands, causing loss of life, serious loss of property and assets and undermining economic development. Voice for Change has consistently supported internally displaced people with relocation support and plays important roles in conflict resolution and peace mediation or settlement. Peace building and conflict resolution work is a significant component of VfC work through trainings, mitigation processes and initiatives of Women Human Rights Defenders. VfC provides capacity building on conflict prevention and peace building for community leaders and community members, as well as for young men and women. VfC coordinates a peace building network in the Jiwaka Province. Special focus is given to training women to lead in conflict prevention, peace building and peace negotiations. (Photo: Jiwaka Women Human Rights Defenders protesting the police brutality, March 2015)

  • Conflict Prevention Training

    VfC coordinates a peace building network in the Jiwaka Province.

    We train women to lead in conflict prevention, peace building and peace negotiations.

    VfC bears witness to tribal, clan and family conflict and provides food, clothing, counselling and economic recovery assistance to Internally Displaced People.

    We act as mediators and supporters to resolve ethnic clashes.

    We are part of the global Women’s Human Rights Defenders network and a member of the Highlands Women Human Rights Defender’s movement. We established the Jiwaka Women Human Rights Defenders Network and facilitate quarterly meetings and initiatives led by the network members.

     

    (Photo: VfC raising awareness about internally displaced community due to a tribal conflict, 2015)