Asia Pacific Women’s Alliance on Peace and Security

APWAPS’ vision

CHARTING OUR PATHWAYS:WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP FOR LASTING,

INCLUSIVE AND GROUNDED PEACE AND SECURITY IN ASIA AND THE PACIFIC

Our Experience• Violent and armed conflicts have been an integral part of our

everyday life– Conflicts in AP region are considered the longest running in the world* – Mostly occur within border (intra-state/ subsnational conflict)– Often take the form of old, unresolved conflicts re-emerging again and again

over an extended period of time. – Mostly emerging in the context of strong states and ambitious development

agendas.– mostly are low intensity in nature & with sporadic periods of high intensity

(tho some endure long period of open violence), making it difficult for outsiders without access to the conflict-affected communities

– Aggravated by national-regional-international socio-economic-political dynamic

* TAF, 2013

APWAPS’ Context- reasons

• To their impacts are felt in all aspects of life and affect multiple generations of women and men, girls and boys, • The very existence of these subnational conflicts is

officially denied, domestically and internationally• the impacts, particularly on women, are overlooked &

even silenced• Women have played critical roles in building and

sustaining peace and security but often unrecognized• only 25 out of 175 peace agreements signed in the Asia

Pacific region have been known to address women’s and gender issues (UN Peacemaker)

APWAPS’ Context-reason

Our Key Shared Concerns Accountability and Combating Impunity

Militarization, small arms trade and continuum of violence in every day life

Structural inequalities and their link to development policies and practices

Rising cultural and religious fundamentalisms

Survivors/victims recovery, and justice processes

Women’s full and meaningful participation in building peace and security

Intersection of natural disaster, climate change & armed presence