ElC Geneva - 7-2012 - Carolyn Handschin
- 1. Advocacy for Everyone’s Empowerment WFWP Program “Knowing our rights and living our dignity.” “Towards an Era of Family Culture: A Paradigm and Tool for Prevention and Cure” Conference on “The Contribution of Families to Peace, Human Development and Prosperity” July 5-6, 2012 at International Labor Organization Hq.
- 2. WFWPI Middle East Women’s (MEW)Peace Conferences • Creating a culture of family with women in the Middle East over 16 years • Began in 1997, strangers, tensions and emotions almost uncontrollable • Almost couldn’t listen to one another at first, couldn’t believe the other’s pain, but came back to the table… taking time to digest • Palestine/Israel; Iraq, Egypt, Yemen, Syria; • Now new participants each year but family culture is already established and able to embrace new tragedy and injustice
- 3. MEW 2012 Front line: Syria • Young Syrian journalist whose countenance influenced us all • First time participant, but benefitted from the “safe haven” • We experienced the conflict in a real way through her • Agent of mediation was care, empathy, love • Peace cannot develop with out those elements
- 4. The Family: a few thoughts • “..natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the state”, UDHR Article 16 • At same time UN Charter, many International documents refer to “human family” as ultimate goal • UN University 1994 IYF concluded, “even in most dire situations of poverty and crises, the single most important factor influencing social outcomes for individuals is whether they are members of a strong family
- 5. Governments on “Family” references in national constitutions • “Natural and fundamental group unit of society”(Burundi, Eritrea, Moldova, Portugal) • “Natural element and basis of society” (CostaRica) • “Society’s basic unit and condition for the harmonious development of the person” (E.Timor) • “Main edification for the growth of the human being” (Iran) • “Moral institution possessing inalienable rights, antecedent and superior to all positive law” (Ireland) • “Basis of society” (Bahrain, Egypt, Lithuania, Somalia, El Salvadore) • “Fundamental for the preservation and growth of the nation” (Estonia) • “Cornerstone for the preservation and advancement of the nation” (Greece)* *E. Douglas Clark, “The Family and the MDG’s”
- 6. Family can be a victim, but family can also be the resource and remedy • SCR 1325: if we give women only the opportunity to be treated as victims, we loose the reality of their capacity as peace makers,… Many international mechanisms skip “family”; jumping from individual to community. Why is it that in terms of policy the family is left to fend on its own? Need a change of mindset…persuasion..
- 7. The Family and the MDG’s “The majority of the Millennium Development targets, especially those relating to the reduction of poverty, education of children and reduction in maternal mortality.., are difficult to attain unless the strategies to achieve them focus on the family.” Report of the SG to the follow-up to the 10th anniversary of the International Year of the Family and beyond -2011
- 8. Replacing patriarchy? patriarchy | pātrē ärkē|ˈ ˌ •a system of society or government in which the father or eldest male is head of the family and descent is traced through the male line. •• a system of society or government in which men hold the power and women are largely excluded from it. •• a society or community organized in this way. •ORIGIN mid 17th cent.: via medieval Latin from Greek patriarkhia, from patriarkhēs ‘ruling father’ (see patriarch ).
- 9. Or Matriarchy?… matriarchy | mātrē ärkē|ˈ ˌ •a system of society or government ruled by a woman or women. •a form of social organization in which descent and relationship are reckoned through the female line. •the state of being an older, powerful woman in a family or group :
- 10. …with Famili-archy Familiarchy | fam( )lēˈ ə ärkē|ˌ •a system of society in which the family unit is the nexus; parents, children, and extended family members cooperate according to their roles to maintain and enhance its members and contribute as a whole and as individual members to the development of larger community. ..becoming an intertwined network of families •an inclusive system of government in which men and women share responsibility similar to the way that parents guide and nurture their children, taking into consideration of advice by family elders and including citizens of all ages as partners according to their capacity.
- 11. Building “Family Culture” from the bottom up famili-archy, that is a social order that empowers individuals first in their unique, innate “sacred” dignity, then as members of a family unit Each member develops their character, in their changing roles throughout the life cycle: brother/ sister, wife/husband, parent..grandparent.. which form the pattern for all future relationships, especially concerning gender “complementarity” and value and the basis for fulfillment in each one’s yearning to be a valuable contributing member of their community and world. • A system that is eliptical, not one dimensional • Clear roles, but each reinforcing the other
- 12. 12 Child’s realm Sibling’s realm Spouse’s realm Parent’s realm From “My Family” to “Family Culture”
- 13. A paradigm of shared leadership and human development An extension of the family (Olivia’s letter)
- 14. Gender Roles and Leadership Models for leadership begin in families; mothers role, fathers role, elder younger, etc Weakened families disrupt gender roles: (domestic violence and its affect on father/son relations, authority, expectation in personal relations, etc.) Readjust those roles to current trends - or focus on prevention? question
- 15. ennobling of femininity and masculinity … Will do much towards the acceptance of a masculinity where men are not pressured to satisfy a very restricted notion of manhood. “Male Roles, Masculinities and Violence” Will transform the demeaning stereotyping of women as objects, used, but not cherished Ennobling relations between men and women, partners in development and peace, involves charting a new depth of intellectual, emotional, spiritual dimensions of masculinity and femininity
- 16. Margarete Porete Christine de Pizan Hildegard von Bingen Elisabeth von Thüringen Annamaria von Schürmann Margaret Cavendish Olympe de Gouges Mary Wollstonecraft Harriet Beecher – Stowe Eleanor Roosevelt Bertha von Suttner Helen Keller Klara Zetkin Mother Teresa Rigoberta Menchú Tum Wangari Maathai Shirin Ebadi Yoo, Kwan Soon Great women in history who influenced change and gave hope to others
- 17. Modern family Trends in “family” are just accepted as if there is no choice- without seeking an optimum to aim towards. Modern family : “psychological family”. Chief value, satisfaction of members?. Most cultures think differently Do we accept that in matters of physical health? We set standard for healthy body All effort made for cure/ restored health Persuade or be persuaded….
- 18. Strengthening the family and implications for international development” • There remain strong social norms found in other ethnic communities (Yoruba of Nigeria and Javanese of Indonesia, for example) that come to different conclusions about the centrality of family.. • for the well being of children, elderly,.. • For its interface with community development • definitions of healthy family • Project chose to spotlight the biosocial family as the smallest unit of analysis • Goal to improve development assistant programs and strengthen long term viability of family-
Editor's Notes
- #3: Create a space, an atmosphere of trust
- #14: Equity, the quality of being fair and impartial equality |iˈkwälitē| noun the state of being equal, esp. in status, rights, and opportunities : an organization aiming to promote racial equality
- #17: There is a human rights framework that can be our platform for influence, with some adjustments.