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Press Release: Zurich for Peace 100 Years Women’s Peace Conference

After 100 years from May 1919, when 150 women from 16 nations met in Zurich for the 2nd International Women’s Peace Conference, we commemorate the conference with an historical re-enactment.

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  • 5 min
WILPF International Secretariat
5 April 2019

Zurich for Peace
100 Years Women’s Peace Conference
#zurich2019

Zurich, 12-15 May 1919: 150 women from 16 nations met at the Zurich Glockenhof for the 2nd International Women’s Peace Conference, invited by Clara Ragaz and the Swiss section of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF), the world’s largest women’s organisation for peace.

Zurich, 11 May 2019: To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the conference, a historical re-enactment will take place at the original location, organised in collaboration with the European project Women Vote Peace. The event at Zurich’s historic hotel “Glockenhof” recalls the political and social situation after the end of the First World War, where courageous women committed themselves to overcoming the causes of war.

For the women participating in the conference in 1919 it was a very emotional moment, meeting for the first time after having been separated by WW1, and reflecting on a way out of the political and social disaster caused by the war. They demanded an end to the hunger blockade, discussed their first experiences with the pursuit of women’s voting rights and extensively debated approaches to non-violence in education and in respect of the revolutionary movements they had been witnessing in the month before the congress. A central issue was the request for the establishment of the League of Nations, which was hoped would become the tool to prevent future wars and nationalism, and to reach universal disarmament and the participation of women. At the end of the congress they elected a delegation to bring the women’s resolution of Zurich to the “Peace Negotiations” of the all-male war victors in Versailles. Yet, doors remained closed to them and their requests were not heard!

As their ideas are still relevant today, the 100th anniversary of the Peace Conference on 11 May 2019 is an excellent occasion to celebrate and recall their vision. WILPF Switzerland and WILPF International will unite with Swiss-based and international peace organisations in Zurich.

The conference #Zurich19 not only intends to recall the situation after the end of WW1, when courageous women campaigned for equal participation of women, but also to elaborate on the important role of civil society in peace making. Therefore, workshops following the re-enactment will give women and civil society space to express themselves as “agents of change” and develop new ideas for peace work.

Date and venue: Saturday, 11 May, 2019, Glockenhof Zurich, Sihlstrasse 31, CH-8001 Zurich; free entrance 10 a.m.; welcoming/historic re-enactment 10.30 a.m. A British film crew will record the event.

After a light lunch is served, renowned facilitators will lead into six different workshops on specific peace issues (2-5 p.m.). Please see detailed program attached.

Please contact:

– Heidi Meinzolt, WILPF Germany, WILPF Europe Regional Representative, meinzolt(a)wilpf.de
– Helena Nyberg, WILPF Switzerland, Board member (079 339 97 86), helena.nyberg(a)wilpfschweiz.ch
– Agnes Hohl, Women for Peace Switzerland, President (077 474 61 84), agnes.hohl(a)bluewin.ch
– Monika Wicki, Swiss Peace Council, Board member (076 427 52 78), wickimonika(a)gmail.com

Medienmitteilung

Zürich, 2. April 2019

Zürich für den Frieden
100 Jahre Frauenfriedenskonferenz
#zurich2019

Zürich, 12. – 15. Mai 1919: 150 Frauen aus 16 Nationen trafen sich im Zürcher Glockenhof zur 2. Internationalen Frauenfriedenskonferenz, eingeladen von Clara Ragaz und der Schweizer Sektion der Internationalen Frauenliga für Frieden und Freiheit (IFFF/WILPF), der weltweit grössten Frauenorganisation für den Frieden.

Zürich, 11. Mai 2019: Zum 100. Jahrestag der Konferenz erinnert eine historische Inszenierung, organisiert in Zusammenarbeit mit dem Europäischen Projekt Women Vote Peace, am Original-schauplatz im Zürcher Glockenhof an die politische und gesellschaftliche Situation nach dem Ende des Ersten Weltkrieges, wo mutige Frauen sich für die Überwindung der Ursachen von Kriegen eingesetzt haben.

Für die an der Konferenz 1919 teilnehmenden Frauen war es ein sehr emotionaler Moment, sich nach der Trennung durch den Ersten Weltkrieg zum ersten Mal zu treffen und über einen Ausweg aus der durch den Krieg verursachten politischen und sozialen Katastrophe nachzudenken. Sie forderten ein Ende der Hungerblockade, diskutierten ihre ersten Erfahrungen mit dem Frauenwahlrecht und diskutierten ausführlich über Gewaltlosigkeit in der Bildung und in Bezug auf die revolutionären Bewegungen, die sie im Monat vor dem Kongress erlebten. Ein zentrales Thema war die Forderung nach der Gründung des Völkerbundes, der zum Instrument werden sollte, um zukünftige Kriege und Nationalismen zu verhindern und die allgemeine Abrüstung und die Beteiligung von Frauen zu erreichen. Am Ende des Kongresses wählten sie eine Delegation, um die Zürcher Frauenresolution zu den “Friedensverhandlungen” der rein männlichen Kriegsgewinner in Versailles zu bringen. Doch die Türen blieben ihnen verschlossen und ihre Bitten wurden nicht gehört!

Da ihre Ideen auch heute noch aktuell sind, ist der 100. Jahrestag der Friedenskonferenz am 11. Mai 2019 eine ausgezeichnete Gelegenheit, ihre Visionen zu feiern und in Erinnerung zu rufen. WILPF Schweiz und WILPF International werden sich in Zürich mit in der Schweiz ansässigen und internationalen Friedensorganisationen zusammenschliessen.

Die Konferenz #Zurich19 will nicht nur an die Situation nach dem Ende des Ersten Weltkriegs erinnern, als mutige Frauen für die gleichberechtigte Beteiligung von Frauen kämpften, sondern auch die wichtige Rolle der Zivilgesellschaft bei der Friedensförderung aufzeigen. Daher werden im Anschluss an die historische Inszenierung den Frauen und der Zivilgesellschaft in Workshops Raum gegeben, sich als “AkteurInnen des Wandels” auszudrücken und neue Ideen für die Friedensarbeit zu entwickeln.

Bitte vormerken: Samstag, 11. Mai 2019, Glockenhof Zürich, Sihlstrasse 31, 8001 Zürich; 10 Uhr Türöffnung, 10.30 Uhr Begrüssung und historische Inszenierung mit Filmaufnahmen.

Am Nachmittag von 14-17 Uhr werden Workshops zu verschiedenen aktuellen Themen der Friedensarbeit angeboten, eingeführt von namhaften Persönlichkeiten der Friedensarbeit (siehe Programm).

Kontakt:

– Heidi Meinzol, WILPF Deutschland, WILPF Regionalvertreter Europa, meinzolt(a)wilpf.de

– Helena Nyberg, WILPF Schweiz, Vorstandsmitglied (079 339 97 86), helena.nyberg(a)wilpfschweiz.ch

– Agnes Hohl, Frauen für den Frieden Schweiz, Präsidentin (077 474 61 84), agnes.hohl(a)bluewin.ch

– Monika Wicki, Schweizerisches Friedensrat, Vorstandsmitglied (076 427 52 78), wickimonika(a)gmail.com

Click here to download the PDF version of the press release in English
Click here to download the PDF version of the Press Release in German
Click here to download the flyer of the event

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WILPF International Secretariat

WILPF International Secretariat, with offices in Geneva and New York, liaises with the International Board and the National Sections and Groups for the implementation of WILPF International Programme, resolutions and policies as adopted by the International Congress. Under the direction of the Secretary-General, the Secretariat also provides support in areas of advocacy, communications, and financial operations.

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Berit Aasen

Europe Alternate Regional Representative

Berit Aasen is a sociologist by training and has worked at the OsloMet Metropolitan University on Oslo. She has 40 years of experience in research and consultancy in development studies, including women, peace, and security, and in later years in asylum and refugee studies. Berit Aasen joined WILPF Norway five years ago. She is an alternate member of the National Board of WILPF Norway, and representing WILPF Norway in the UN Association of Norway, the Norwegian 1325 network and the Norwegian Women’s Lobby. Berit Aasen has been active in the WILPF European Liaison group and is committed to strengthening WILPF sections and membership both in Europe and relations across continents.

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Melissa Torres

VICE-PRESIDENT

Prior to being elected Vice-President, Melissa Torres was the WILPF US International Board Member from 2015 to 2018. Melissa joined WILPF in 2011 when she was selected as a Delegate to the Commission on the Status of Women as part of the WILPF US’ Practicum in Advocacy Programme at the United Nations, which she later led. She holds a PhD in Social Work and is a professor and Global Health Scholar at Baylor College of Medicine and research lead at BCM Anti-Human Trafficking Program. Of Mexican descent and a native of the US/Mexico border, Melissa is mostly concerned with the protection of displaced Latinxs in the Americas. Her work includes training, research, and service provision with the American Red Cross, the National Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Centre, and refugee resettlement programs in the U.S. Some of her goals as Vice-President are to highlight intersectionality and increase diversity by fostering inclusive spaces for mentorship and leadership. She also contributes to WILPF’s emerging work on the topic of displacement and migration.

Jamila Afghani

VICE-PRESIDENT

Jamila Afghani is the President of WILPF Afghanistan which she started in 2015. She is also an active member and founder of several organisations including the Noor Educational and Capacity Development Organisation (NECDO). Elected in 2018 as South Asia Regional Representative to WILPF’s International Board, WILPF benefits from Jamila’s work experience in education, migration, gender, including gender-based violence and democratic governance in post-conflict and transitional countries.

Sylvie Jacqueline Ndongmo

PRESIDENT

Sylvie Jacqueline NDONGMO is a human rights and peace leader with over 27 years experience including ten within WILPF. She has a multi-disciplinary background with a track record of multiple socio-economic development projects implemented to improve policies, practices and peace-oriented actions. Sylvie is the founder of WILPF Cameroon and was the Section’s president until 2022. She co-coordinated the African Working Group before her election as Africa Representative to WILPF’s International Board in 2018. A teacher by profession and an African Union Trainer in peace support operations, Sylvie has extensive experience advocating for the political and social rights of women in Africa and worldwide.

WILPF Afghanistan

In response to the takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban and its targeted attacks on civil society members, WILPF Afghanistan issued several statements calling on the international community to stand in solidarity with Afghan people and ensure that their rights be upheld, including access to aid. The Section also published 100 Untold Stories of War and Peace, a compilation of true stories that highlight the effects of war and militarisation on the region. 

IPB Congress Barcelona

WILPF Germany (+Young WILPF network), WILPF Spain and MENA Regional Representative

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Demilitarisation

WILPF uses feminist analysis to argue that militarisation is a counter-productive and ill-conceived response to establishing security in the world. The more society becomes militarised, the more violence and injustice are likely to grow locally and worldwide.

Sixteen states are believed to have supplied weapons to Afghanistan from 2001 to 2020 with the US supplying 74 % of weapons, followed by Russia. Much of this equipment was left behind by the US military and is being used to inflate Taliban’s arsenal. WILPF is calling for better oversight on arms movement, for compensating affected Afghan people and for an end to all militarised systems.

Militarised masculinity

Mobilising men and boys around feminist peace has been one way of deconstructing and redefining masculinities. WILPF shares a feminist analysis on the links between militarism, masculinities, peace and security. We explore opportunities for strengthening activists’ action to build equal partnerships among women and men for gender equality.

WILPF has been working on challenging the prevailing notion of masculinity based on men’s physical and social superiority to, and dominance of, women in Afghanistan. It recognizes that these notions are not representative of all Afghan men, contrary to the publicly prevailing notion.

Feminist peace​

In WILPF’s view, any process towards establishing peace that has not been partly designed by women remains deficient. Beyond bringing perspectives that encapsulate the views of half of the society and unlike the men only designed processes, women’s true and meaningful participation allows the situation to improve.

In Afghanistan, WILPF has been demanding that women occupy the front seats at the negotiating tables. The experience of the past 20 has shown that women’s presence produces more sustainable solutions when they are empowered and enabled to play a role.