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What do wars do to women? They often reinforce the traditional roles of women by framing domestic duties and unconditional support of their countries leadership as patriotic. They also create a climate in which violence against women (and children) is acceptable as long as it fulfills the goals of the war. Women commonly suffer unimaginably violent acts, such as gang rape by soldiers, and they make up the bulk of the world's refugees. This affects the lives of the women who are the targets, as well as the women whose brothers, sons, fathers and husbands come home to them after having committed these sanctioned acts of violence.

But it is counterproductive to view women only as the passive victims of conflict. While it is important to acknowledge the suffering that women around the world have had to endure as a result of war, women around the world also work tirelessly for peace. Women can often find common ground with "enemies" through their shared suffering, and they bring a perspective to negotiations that can prove invaluable. Unfortunately, women have generally been excluded from formal international conflict resolution because they are not believed to have the skills to help or because men are afraid that women will compromise too much for the sake of peace.

"As historic victims of violence and repression, as well as those socialized to cultivate supportive roles -- but in a disempowered sphere -- women may have a particular vantage point on the issue. But they are not immune to expressions of hostility, chauvinism, racism or warmongering, even if their role has more often been to be the backup force for the main fighters."

THE WAR ON WIMMIN   WAR AND WIMMIN: MAIN PAGE   WIMMIN & THE "WAR ON TERRORISM"