SEAWP

Southeast Asian Women Peacebuilders Network

In 2020, when the whole world was hit by the Covid 19 pandemic, as governments, businesses and people battled to make sense of the global challenge, AMAN Indonesia, The Center of Excellence on Women and Social Security(CWSS), Walailak University Thailand and IMAN Research Malaysia joined hands to form The Southeast Asian Women Peacebuilders Network (SEAWP).

The on the ground realities the Covid pandemic has impacted is worrying, as xenophobia increased, and security issues that may be under the radar imploded, because the world’s focus was  on stemming the virus.

It was obvious to SEAWP and friends that the Women, Peace and Security Agenda (WPS) had to be promoted more diligently and firmly, as the world order we knew had been changed by Covid 19.

SEAWP is about collaboration with and supporting our fellow peacebuilders around the ASEAN region. We want to advance local narratives on the work women and men peacebuilders in the region do. Southeast Asia is a dynamic, complex and multicultural region, whose borders can be contested, envied and reviled.

Our members work in peacebuilding as academics, activists, negotiators, mothers and fathers involved in the peace process, and young people wanting a peaceful future.

WHY SEAWP?

Knowledge and experiences

Knowledge and experiences of women peacebuilders in Southeast Asia in the area of conflict prevention, conflict resolution, peacebuilding need to be recognized, exchanged, and promoted as baseline to response current crisis situation

Cross-country limitation

There is limited cross-country understanding,learning and partnership. Many peacebuilders in the region are more connected out-side the region than within. There is also limited public understanding of issues of each country

Regional platform that promote collective voices

To be a regional platform that promote collective voices of women peacebuilders and visibility of women peace movement that is initiated, led by and utilized by Southeast Asian women peacebuilders. A platform where women peacebuilders can learn, share and build capacity with other peacebuilders in the region

Lack of women representation

The absence in most peace negotiation processes in Southern Thailand and Mindanao is evident of the lack of women representation. In this area, women peacebuilders should encourage regional collaboration to conduct joint research about the gender impact of existing conflict, provide capacity building, create an exchange learning, initiate non structural women peace forum to amplify voices of women into current peace talks

FOSTERING UNITY IN DIVERSITY

Southeast Asia is a diverse and dynamic region. The region’s geographic and political complexity presents a challenging security environment.

11 countries, 500 million people.

KNOW THY NEIGHBOR

Although we share borders, there is limited public understanding of issues in neighboring countries.

ALONE WE CAN DO SO LITTLE

Most peacebuilding efforts in the region work in silos or very area specific.

Lack of hub for sharing expertise and knowledge with their peers in the region.

TOGETHER WE CAN DO SO MUCH

Objective: Be part of ASEAN Integration – healthy and resilient community is the beginning of economic prosperity.

MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK(WHAT WE DO)

Promote peacebuilding efforts within the region –

Foster collaboration among peacebuilders within the region – sharing of knowledge and expertise.

Regional platform/hub for resources within the region.