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2014
has been a busy year for Karama and our partners, especially given
the launch of our flagship Arab Regional Network for Women, Peace,
and Security. This initiative set out to address women’s priorities
for peace, emphasize the link between gender equality and peace and
stability, and ensure women are at the table in decision-making and
peace-making frameworks and committees. The net result was over 1,675
women and men leaders across 13 countries working on plans to build
awareness and activate UNSCR 1325 within their national contexts. The
Network’s 10 Point Manifesto was presented at two international
events: in London at the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in
Conflict, and in New York ahead of the General Assembly in September
at a high-level meeting with activists, donors, and policy makers.
Meanwhile, partners in Syria met with decision-makers, activists, and
UN representatives in Geneva to share their roadmap for peace and
emphasize their desire for non-violent means to conflict
reconciliation in Syria. Following up on the results of a survey they
issued to over 6,000 respondents, they highlighted key findings
including overwhelming Syrian support for a free and democratic
country. The same vast majority of respondents declared that they wanted
women to be part of the peace and reconciliation process. In Yemen,
partners have also worked tirelessly to advocate for women's
inclusion in politics and lobby for adoption of an electoral quota
for women. In Egypt, partners successfully launched the Entakhebo El
Setat ("Vote For Women") campaign, generating strong
support for and awareness of the importance of women's political
participation.
Despite these tremendous successes, it is difficult to write about
2014 without conveying the deep frustration, bitterness and sadness
that so many of us feel about tragic events taking place in the
region. In Syria, the bright light of hope for a moderate and free
future has turned into a dim glow, with peaceful negotiation seeming
more elusive than ever. In Yemen, a weak government appears unable to
control even the worst cases of human rights violations and abuses
suffered by the most vulnerable members of society. In Libya,
stability has turned into unprecedented insecurity and division
exacerbated by insensitive politicians and ruthless thugs who appear
to prioritize power struggles rather than nursing a fragile state
back to health. It is shameful that for many men, women and children
in these countries the term Arab Spring has become an embarrassing
projection of overly optimistic aspirations long since forgotten.
The international community has watched this situation unravel and it
was with shock and a heavy heart that I listened to a good friend of
mine, a former member of a government in Europe, profess that
countries do not want to intervene and end up “owning the problem.”
However, 2014 has taught us it is not possible to pretend that these
problems do not exist — if you do, these problems end up owning you.
Perhaps the best example of this is the cancer of violent extremist
Islam that is feeding off vacuums of power worsened by lack of
engagement from the international community. This cancer is spreading
through Syria, Iraq, Libya and Yemen and it will spread outwards to
Europe and the rest of the world if we do not address it.
Keeping in mind such sobering thoughts, how do we learn and make 2015
a year of positive progress? First, we must understand that we are
defined not by the easy choices we make but by the hard ones. This
starts with a painful acknowledgement that rhetoric will never make
up for action. Any sustainable solution to problems in this region
will come from within the country and from the people on the ground,
and we have an obligation to assist them with more than just words.
We cannot limit ourselves to “condemnations” and “denouncements” from
the sidelines. For example, we have ample UN resolutions on women’s
rights and security. Words 11-15 of the UN Charter make it clear: we
need to “take effective collective measures.” It is unacceptable to
think that words suffice. The UN must lead by example; we need
facilitators, not commentators.
Secondly, we need to create viable alternatives. People make choices
based on the options available to them. In the vast majority of
cases, young men in Syria do not join leave the FSA and join Jabhat
Al Nusra out of undying ideological fervor, female activists do not
flee Libya because it is more comfortable to work out of Malta or
Egypt and Huthis do not take over parts of Sana’a on a whim. Their attitudes
and behaviors, no matter how unsavory, take place within a context
and too often these are contexts characterized by a lack of
opportunities and choice. We must provide the average man, woman and
child with real and better alternatives.
And so our projects find themselves on the very frontline of some of
the most important and defining social battles in this region’s
history. It is the weight of responsibility that comes with knowing
that we are truly making a difference that drives forward El Karama
and its networks across the region. It is also out of appreciation to
our donors and sponsors who remain dedicated to an unfaltering vision
of what this region should and will become. Finally, it is out of
respect and awe for those brave men and women within our networks
that never stop fighting for their rights. We must never forget the
sacrifices of Salwa Bughaighais, Tawfiq Bensaud, Saado Ali Warsame,
Sami Elkawafi, Fariha Barkawi and many other members of our
network who have died and suffered fighting for a better future.
El Karama wishes you a happy Thanksgiving, Christmas and end to 2014.
We extend our deepest gratitude for your support and look forward to
collaborating during what will undoubtedly be a challenging but
fruitful 2015.
Yours truly, and on behalf of Karama and all of those with whom we
have the privilege to work,
Hibaaq Osman
Founder and CEO, El Karama
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