Democracy Conference Inspires

May 20, 2009

conference_panel2 On May 10-12, 2009, the Nobel Women’s Initiative hosted their biennial international conference, Women Redefining Democracy for Peace, Justice, and Equality, in Antigua, Guatemala. The three-day conference convened over 100 women – Nobel Peace Laureates, activists, politicians, and journalists – from more than seventy countries to engage in conversations of ways to shape policy, actions, and dialogue to positively influence human rights and social justice.

The conference profiled women from different backgrounds, including many who live under oppressive governments and in struggling economies, bringing their experiences as key insights into the exploration, evaluation, and creation of democracy.

Recognizing that women comprise half of the world’s population, participants confronted the problem that the process of democratization is still incomplete as women are consistently and systematically denied their rights to life, human rights, and security across the globe. Further, participants were challenged to consider democracy from a feminist perspective that embodied the experiences of women the world over, reflecting the full range of cultures, values, and living conditions of women worldwide.

Participants left unified in a vision to demand a true and holistic democracy– one that would take into account the lives and circumstances of all peoples, and one that would draw from the wisdom and experiences of women. By fully involving women, society can begin to collectively redefine for itself a democracy that is more relevant and inclusive.