"We're afraid of asylum seekers; we're afraid of migrants; we're afraid of Muslims. And when we are afraid, we go quiet because we expect someone to take care of it. And that something becomes militarized security. Military security needs a particular type of masculine identity. It builds and needs and elevates violent masculinity; it builds and needs women who will support that violent masculinity,"
In her TED talk "Gender, War, and Peace," Madeleine Rees, a prominent lawyer who has worked both in the U.K. and for the U.N., examines gender and how the intersection of political economy, militarism, and the multi-lateral system has undermined the promise of the Charter and Human Rights and explores what we must do to reclaim it. Rees encapsulates the complex relationship between diversity, fear, and the repercussions of a militarized response in the above-mentioned quote. Rees focuses on the dark side of differences in human beings and points out how these differences can be manipulated to instill fear and division. When we perceive others as "not quite like us," it can lead to prejudice and stereotypes, and it can be weaponized for political or security agendas, causing a rift in society.
Rees also draws a stark connection between fear, militarized security, and masculine identity. She argues that militarized security tends to favor and promote a specific form of masculinity that is rooted in violence. She highlights that these militarized systems depend on women to support and reinforce this aggressive form of masculinity. This emphasizes the complex interplay of gender dynamics and how established societal roles of men and women can be leveraged to uphold and justify extremist militaristic strategies.
Rees gives the example of Ukraine, where soldiers heading to the front are seen off by women waving flags and handing flowers. Years later, militarized security brings women as fighters and actors into the warzone. She raises concerns about the failure of the Women's International League to establish peace and freedom for women. While feminists are told to celebrate this as a step toward gender equality, she questions whether such empowerment was meant to lead to an end to violence or if it inadvertently perpetuates violence. Delving deeper into another critical aspect of the dynamics of global conflict, Rees also explores how women, who are disproportionately affected by wars, have historically been excluded from peace negotiations. She recalls how the objectives of the United Nations aimed to save future generations from the horrors of war. However, Rees contends that current international systems are falling short of eliminating conflicts.
Madeleine Rees' TED talk is a stark reminder that peace is not an abstract ideal but a collective endeavor and remains highly relevant in recent contexts. Malala, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, exemplifies Rees's idea of reclaiming peace and humanity. In 2012, Malala survived an assassination attempt by the Taliban while on her way home from school. The attack brought worldwide attention to the plight of girls seeking education in conflict-affected areas. Malala's resilience and her resolve to continue her education in the face of violence align with Madeleine Rees' argument about the potential for positive change when women are involved in negotiations and challenge fear, violence, and gender stereotypes to promote education, equality, and peace.
It’s really interesting how you mentioned that women are not involved in peace negotiations when they are the ones who are impacted by war the most. The fact that women are victims of rape, harassment and they are the unpaid reserved army of labor. Despite their blatant violation of rights, they are still not considered relevant enough to be included in negotiations. It is high time women are acknowledged for their part and their sacrifices and be given a voice on things that concern them - military and war.
I really like how the blog dives into the links between gender, conflict, and militarization, shedding light on how societal norms shape militaristic actions and affect women in peace efforts. It highlights examples like Ukraine, prompting reflection on gender roles amid turmoil which gives a better picture on the issue. While Malala's story shows hope for change, what could be some other additional strategies beyond existing systems. Are there uncharted approaches to challenge the masculine identity tied to violence and seek alternative conflict resolution methods? I think exploring cultural nuances could further enrich this discourse. Rees' insights into the reinforcement of masculine identities through militarization are eye-opening. I wonder, beyond women's involvement, how might youth—like Malala—reshape these narratives?
This blogpost reminded me of a book I had recently read about women and the military, the book claimed that a successful military structure was always built on the foundations of the unpaid and unseen labor carried out by women. Similar to your blog, it spoke about the ways in which the military, and often conflict is dependent on the performance of conventional gender roles, as even military control must appeal to these normative conventions.
What an interesting read, I was completely hooked on the first part when you mentioned how fear, military security and violent ideals of masculinity are interlinked. There is no doubt in the fact that it is the difference between human beings that in most cases lead to conflict. It is fear stemmed from the idea that "they are not like us" and since they are not like us then they might be dangerous, we need saving from them giving rise to intense conflicts and militarisation. However, nobody takes into account the fact that just because somebody is not you does not mean that they are dangerous. Tolerating and understanding differences is what creates a healthy peaceful society, The more we…
The discussion, in my opinion, was an interesting examination of the complex relationships that exist between gender dynamics, militarized security, and fear in times of conflict.A thought-provoking viewpoint is provided by the exploration of the particular masculine identity and the explanation of how societal concerns are used to justify militaristic actions. I believe that serious questions over the effectiveness of present strategies are raised by the criticism of international institutions and their inability to take into account how conflicts affect women and involve them in peace talks. The inclusion of real-world examples, such as the situation in Ukraine made me think about the complexities of gender roles in times of conflict.But in my opinion, the inclusion of Malala's story a…