Y-WILPF US Statement

Y-WILPF US Statement

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Though there have never been age requirements or limits for membership, WILPF has traditionally tended to attract more older women than young women. Additionally, the important work WILPF is not always promoted in a way that encourages increased membership in any age group. Generational gaps in communication style and political foci necessitate creating a separate organizing space. The Y-WILPF international network for members 35 and younger was created primarily to increase membership growth and to help younger members develop deep connections within WILPF to ensure they remain active members well beyond their Y-WILPF years.

Young women are a vital but often-overlooked demographic in the feminist peace movement. While many of the concerns expressed by women of all ages are related and similar, young women face specific challenges as well as opportunities in moving the work forward. The majority of soldiers sent to war are our peers. We are of the age when many start families, and are therefore intimately concerned with maternal health (and the healthcare system as a whole), the educational system, and creating a world free from limiting stereotypes. Young women are often disproportionately the targets of rape, forced marriage, “honor” killing, sex trafficking, and other forms of sexual violence and exploitation. As young women, we have distinct and valuable perspectives to bring to the table on these issues and more. While we recognize that age discrimination affects many age groups, young women specifically often face limiting stereotypes, lack of respect, and/or tokenism when engaging in age-diverse groups, especially when we are in the minority.

Y-WILPF functions with the understanding that young people are invested in peace and justice, and absolutely necessary for a successful peace movement. Y-WILPF will partner with members in WILPF’s continuing efforts to be more inclusive of young women. Y-WILPF provides a forum for young women to provide mutual support to one another as we work toward a more just and peaceful world as equal partners with our sisters of other age groups in WILPF. As we honor the individuality of each member, we gather together as women.

Y-WILPF Offers:

To Members

The valuable perspectives of young people on the issues, including on the National Board
A resource for ongoing age mainstreaming within WILPF
Increased visibility of the organization (recognition, loyalty, etc.)
Increased membership
The involvement of rising leaders in the peace movement

To Young WILPFers

Mutual support network and resource for the empowerment of young women
Resource-sharing between young members addressing specific concerns of young women, media, technology, etc.
Opportunities to participate in diplomacy at the UN, national and international actions and campaigns; e.g. WILPF’s Reaching Critical Will and PeaceWomen projects.
Representation on the National Board as a vehicle for the prioritization of young women’s issues
International network for cooperation between young women of different nationalities and ethnic origins
Leadership development and mentoring programs