The impact of war on women is both disproportional and drastically different from the commonly portrayed male experience. “The fact is, in today’s wars the primary victims are women and children” (PBS Television, 2012). However, the female position in the modern world expands far beyond the victim role. Some crimes such as rape still receive much less legal attention and acknowledgment in court than they should. Sometimes, it is the women’s testimonies in the courtroom that change the historic narrative. The case of Bosnian women testifying shows why this might be true – it is recommended to pay attention to body language and the words of accused men in this video section.
At the same time, the leadership dynamic exhibited by women during wartime is distinctly different from that of men. It seems like women are increasingly ready to sacrifice themselves to establish peace and restore community. Yet, the video talks about how worldwide, only 3% of peace agreements signatories are women. However, there is hope – the story of Afghan women sheds light on some ways in which female-led networks actively contribute to creating and supporting peaceful initiatives. There is an urgent need for dialogue about redefining the societal understanding of female impacts and sacrifices. However, a mere discussion will not suffice at the global level – a comprehensive legislative change is due regarding security and conflict.
In order to frame this discussion more productively, the following questions are suggested for contemplating upon watching this video. How is the common civilian women’s experience during wartime different from the male experience? Does it get the same media coverage, and if not, why not? What was the example of women’s bravery and determination in this video that stood out the most and why?
References
PBS Television. (2012). Women and girls lead | Women, war & peace | Trailer | ITVS. YouTube. Web.