WILPF Statement on International Women’s Day

March 8, 2011 by IPB

The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, a GDAMS partner, issued a statement on the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day:

As the weapons spread, so does their use. Armed conflict, war, terrorism, and occupation are cause and consequence to the ever increasing levels of militarism and military spending around the world. While military expenditure increases, investments in conflict resolution, peace building, and development lags far behind. Armed conflict and excessive militarism prevent economic stability and sustainable livelihoods and absorb vast amounts of funding that could otherwise be spent on human security, including the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. Funds reserved for development initiatives are increasingly spent on emergency relief and rehabilitation operations to clean up after violent conflict. The high level of militarism is also inextricably linked to the reported human rights violations and the failure of peace processes.

Read the whole address here.