Overcoming "Us vs. Them"

The Impact of Militarism on Women in Europe and Central Asia

Context

In the past two decades, the Europe/Central Asia region endured several bloody military conflicts that claimed the lives of thousands and left portions of the region in shambles. With the fall of Berlin Wall, countries of the former socialist bloc – many of them newly independent – began transitioning toward democratic states and free-market economies. These tectonic changes throughout the region intensified old clashes and created new conflicts over power, territories and resources, which led to several multi-year wars, massive dislocation and strife for millions.

Here is a snapshot of the ways in which militarism is affecting the region:

• In the past two years, direct open conflicts have re-emerged: in 2008 between Russia and Georgia, and in 2010 the bloody uprisings in Kyrgyzstan.
• People living in post-conflict zones are struggling to rebuild their societies and democratic institutions, for example in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosova, Croatia, Serbia, Macedonia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kharabakh, Ossetia, Abkhazia, Dagestan, Chechnya, Georgia, and Tajikistan.
• Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Belarus have fallen under heavily militarized authoritarian regimes, which threaten the human rights of all people.
• Russia and the European Union have been massively increasing their military spending, which is threatening the sovereignty of smaller, neighboring countries.
• In Russia’s North Caucasus and elsewhere, civilians continue to bear the brunt of military, terrorist, counter-terrorism and security operations.

Refugee women in Suraqayat, Azerbaijan suffer from terrible health conditions and deprivation with no assistance from the government

Impact on Women

Decades and war and military conflict have proven that these are not one-time occurrences of violence against women. Rather, violence against women precedes, escalates during, and occurs in the aftermath of such conflicts. Some of the ways women in the region are affected by militarism include:

• During the Bosnian War, it is estimated that up to 50,000 women of all ethnic groups, the majority of whom were Muslim, were raped in what the International Criminal Court found was the systematic use of rape as part of an ethnic cleansing campaign.
• Nearly 20 years later, women are still healing from the traumas borne onto them, their children and families. In 2010, the Gender Center in Bosnia and Herzegovina found that domestic violence has been on the rise.
• After surviving two devastating wars, women in Chechnya are forced to wear headscarves and are targeted by fundamentalists and government officials with violence, including with paintballs, if their clothing is considered provocative.
• In Azerbaijan, due to economic hardship and ongoing military tension, the trafficking of women continues to be a problem. According to a 2002 International Organization for Migration report, Azerbaijan was found to be both a source and transit country for trafficking.
• In Bosnia and Herzegovina, women’s groups working to forge peace across ethnic and religious lines have been labeled terrorists by fundamentalists and nationalists.

Refugee women and children in Suraqayat, Azerbaijan

Violence against women lasts well after armed conflict because of the significant disruption to the economy and political and democratic institutions, which fuels lawlessness and impunity and boosts religious fundamentalist and nationalist groups. The violence women endure during conflict only further exacerbates the gender equality they face, such as discrimination in access to education, health care, employment, and participation in public life. At home, women experience customary violations of their rights, including domestic violence, bridal kidnapping, and forced and early marriages.

Frozen and unresolved conflicts have hampered economic growth and infrastructure development, which has forced the massive migration of men, largely from the Caucasus and Central Asia, in search of employment. Women are thus left behind to care for the family and community, which when coupled with discrimination, constrain women’s agency in negotiation and peace-building efforts.

What are women in Europe and Central Asia doing to confront and dismantle militarism? FIND OUT »