Women, War and Peace

Russia, Chechnya

According to "Russians abroad, a web portal designed to help Russian emigrants and Russophiles communicate with each other across the globe":

''In the post-Soviet era, the position of women in Russian society remains at least as problematic as it was in previous decades. In both cases, a number of nominal legal protections for women either have failed to address the existing conditions or have failed to supply adequate support..."

See more at: http://www.russiansabroad.com/russian_history_157.htm

Soldiers’ Mothers

An example of one of the most active mothers organizations: Soldiers' Mothers of St. Petersberg.

Daily violations of human rights in the Russian army led to an out-cry - and movement - among soldiers' mothers across the country. "Soldiers' Mothers of St.Petersburg" is a non-governmental organization that has steadily worked for more protection and justice and has become one of the most recognized Soldiers' Mothers organizations in Russia. the Mothers have a website in English and German to introduce themselves and their work to a world audience.

See more at: http://www.openweb.ru/smo/smo.htm

Women's anti-war activities in Russia

Women in the Russian Federation are limited in influencing policy, especially in the field of national security. The main barriers are institutional and cultural: the low representation of women in politics, the absence of women in power institutions such as the Security Council and Presidential Committee on security, and the gendered power discourse. The State Duma (Russia's Parliament) could provide an open tribune for women politicians against the war in Chechnya. The separate women's party, or alliance, called "Women of Russia" had achieved a staggering and unexpected success in December, 1993. "Women of Russia" established their position as defenders of social protection and security during a year of hard work in the State Duma. Many people expected them to lead an anti-war coalition as "mothers" or at least to put social issues and a demand to provide for the security of the civilian population on the Chechnya agenda. That did not happen. "Women of Russia" followed the policy of President Eltsin and did not speak out against the war. Due to increasing civic indignation against the war, "Women of Russia" later shifted their position, but it was too late. The perception that "Women of Russia" "voted for Chechnya" had been formed before the elections in 1995.

See more at: http://www.owl.ru/eng/womplus/1996/gender.htm

Education seminars in Russia

"Gender and civil societal action in conflict regions"

The East-West-European Women's Network (OWEN) aim to empower women in Central and Eastern Europe and in Germany as actors in: the democratic evolution and peaceful strengthening of ties in Europe, gender democracy and gender justice, civil conflict prevention and intervention, social justice and solidarity, mutual acceptance and understanding.

''OWEN and women's and human rights organisations in the post-Soviet states run a series of further education seminars for women working in these NGOs. The both complex and complicated process of democratisation in the transitional societies of the post-Soviet states creates an enormous challenge for the emerging civil societies in these states.The series of further education seminars that OWEN has run in Russia, the Ukraine and the Caucasus region since 1998 aims to empower women as actors in organisations dealing with women's issues, human rights and civil conflict prevention and conflict management. The seminars' topics and methodology follow on from each other. The seminar participants come from different organisations and various post-Soviet states, which furthers the exchange of ideas, working methods and experience.''

Chechnya's first women's magazine:"Nana" 

The first magazine to be targeted at women in Chechnya has been published, according to the Russian television channel NTV.The magazine will focus on the impact of the fighting on women.It is called Nana, the Chechen word for mother. There is no gossip about celebrities or hot fashion tips; instead it focuses on the everyday hardship faced by Chechen women as a result of the fighting in the troubled republic. Its first edition had little trouble attracting readers, with demand outstripping its print run of 3,000 copies, according to the report.

BBC informs on: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3858177.stm July 2004

Chechnya's female bombers

‘’Specialists say nearly all Chechen women in the conflict areas are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorders ‘’
 One of the most shocking aspects of recent Chechen rebel suicide attacks has been that many of the perpetrators were women.Women are the forgotten part of the Chechen war. Since the mid 1990s, when the conflict began, they have featured mainly as refugees.The research that has been done shows a high degree of support for taking up arms. It also reveals the absolute desperation of many Chechen women's lives. Hundreds of thousands of Chechen women have fled their homeland and sought shelter in often dismal conditions in neighbouring regions. Three-quarters have lost relatives, 60% have had their homes destroyed and at least half are unemployed. But now, there is the new reality of female Chechen suicide bombers. First seen during last year's Moscow theatre siege, they have conducted a number of bloody attacks in the subsequent months.

BBC informs on: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3052934.stm (July 2003)

Design and selection: Desislava Manova/WLOE