Security Disarmed: Critical Perspectives on Gender, Race, and Militarization

Chapter 4: Activist Statements: Visions and Strategies for a Just Peace

65 STATEMENT 1. INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF WOMEN AT THE HAGUE This statement originally appeared in 1915 in the volume Women at The Hague: The International Congress of Women and Its Results, by Jane Addams, Emily Green Balch, and Alice Hamilton. The document is one of the products of a meeting of more than a thousand women from Europe and North America at The Hague, from April 28 to May 1, 1915. The goal of the gathering was to devise an international agenda to end World War I and to promote strategies and principles for a peaceful coexistence between nations and peoples from around the world. This statement is a vital testimony to the historic role of women in crafting a peace movement during the early twentieth century and to the crucial connections between demands for peace and the advancement of women’s rights worldwide. Resolutions Adopted by the International Congress of Women at The Hague, May 1, 1915 I. Women and War 1. Protest We women, in International Congress assembled, protest against the madness and the horror of war, involving as it does a reckless sacrifice of human life and the destruction of so much that humanity has laboured through centuries to build up. 2. Women’s Sufferings in War This International Congress of Women opposes the assumption that women can be protected under the conditions of modern warfare. It protests vehemently 4 Activist Statements Visions and Strategies for a Just Peace ——————————————————————— ——————————————————————— CH004.qxd 5/28/08 7:33 PM Page 65 against the odious wrongs of which women are the victims in times of war, and especially against the horrible violation of women which attends all war. II. Actions Towards Peace 3. The Peace Settlement This International Congress of Women of different nations, classes, creeds and parties is united in expressing sympathy with the suffering of all, whatever their nationality, who are fighting for their country or labouring under the burden of war. Since the mass of the people in each of the countries now at war believe themselves to be fighting, not as aggressors but in self-defence and for their national existence, there can be no irreconcilable differences between them, and their common ideals afford a basis upon which a magnanimous and honourable peace might be established. The Congress therefore urges the Governments of the world to put an end to this bloodshed, and to begin peace negotiations. It demands that the peace which follows shall be permanent and therefore based on principles of justice, including those laid down in the resolutions adopted by this Congress, namely: ■ That no territory should be transferred without the consent of the men and women in it, and that the right of conquest should not be recognized. ■ That autonomy and a democratic parliament should not be refused to any people. ■ That the Governments of all nations should come to an agreement to refer future international disputes to arbitration or conciliation and to bring social, moral and economic pressure to bear upon any country which resorts to arms. ■ That foreign politics should be subject to democratic control. ■ That women should be granted equal political rights with men. 4. Continuous Mediation This International Congress of Women resolves to ask the neutral countries to take immediate steps to create a conference of neutral nations which shall without delay offer continuous mediation. The Conference shall invite suggestions for settlement from each of the belligerent nations and in any case shall submit to all of them simultaneously, reasonable proposals as a basis of peace. III. Principles of a Permanent Peace 5. Respect for Nationality This International Congress of Women, recognizing the right of the people to selfgovernment , affirms that there should be no transference of territory without the consent of the men and women residing therein, and urges that autonomy and a democratic parliament should not be refused to any people. INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS OF WOMEN 66 CH004.qxd 5/28/08 7:33 PM Page 66 6. Arbitration and Conciliation This International Congress of Women, believing that war is the negation of progress and civilisation, urges the governments of all nations to come to an agreement to refer future international disputes to arbitration and conciliation. 7. International Pressure This International Congress of Women urges the governments of all nations to come to an agreement to unite in bringing social, moral and economic pressure to bear upon any country, which resorts to arms...