For a Peaceful, Just, and Sustainable World Free of Nuclear Weapons, Military Bases and War Womens Peace Fund Contributes to Developing Cooperation and Solidarity between Women of Japan and Women All around the World
Link
Chloé Meulewaeter
Centre Delàs of Studies for Peace
No Nukes! Women’s Forum 2019
Dear Women’s Peace Fund organizers, dear members of the New Japan Women’s Association, dear friends of peace. My name is Chloé Meulewaeter. It is an honour for me to attend the World Conference Against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs as a collaborator of the Centre Delàs for Studies for Peace in Barcelona, as a phd student of Peace Culture at the University of Granada, and as a women peace activist.
Before the world conference began, I had already had the privilege of hearing Hibakusha’s testimony in Spain on two occasions. In 2015 the Peace Boat docked at the port of Barcelona, and last November it stopped near Granada. From the Delàs Centre we have organized and promoted their two conferences. While listening to the testimonies, I was shocked by the horrible experience of the Hibakusha as much as I was impressed by the strength they deploy so that the world would never again have to regret such a disaster. I welcome the incredible efforts the Hibakusha are making to raise awareness among civil society, the media and politicians about the dangers of the atomic bomb.
From the Delàs Center for Peace Studies, we work to denounce the dangers of the increasing militarization of our societies, which inexorably leads to suffering, human rights violations, the deterioration of the planet, and war. A new and crucial line of research is the one on “gender and militarism”. I her last report, one of my colleagues establishes the fact that growing militarism, as manifested, inter alia, by the general gobal increase in military spending, has a specific impact on women. For example, proliferation of small arms and flexibility in the possession of weapons, have a direct impact on the risk of femicide and increases personal insecurity. Increase in the production and export of military and nuclear weapons, have an impact on personal and community security of the countries in which they are used, and generate gender-specific damages in contexts of conflict.
As in all other areas of research and activism, it is imperative to study peace and the effects of militarism with “gender glasses” on. It is essential that women are present in the street as in governments, and globally in public life, to make visible how militarism affects us. I want to thank the Women Peace Fund for allowing women from all over the world, like me, to participate in this world congress, share experiences and learn from each other. I also want to thank all the members of the New Japan Women’s Association. It is moving to feel our sisterhood thousands of miles away. Thank you all for the great job you do.
