A new term: Gendercide

“Instead of genocide nowadays, what we have is gendercide,” Dumbarton’s Sandy Cheldelin told adult ed on Sunday, March 25. Cheldelin Is professor of conflict analysis and resolution at George Mason University. She teaches a course called “Gender and Conflict” and is co-editor ofWomen Waging War and Peace—a collection of essays which examine how women actively contribute to peace and social change in diverse contexts around the world.

According to Cheldelin, the grim stories of grieving women, displaced refugees, and similar consequences of war suggest that men are not victimized. "In fact, almost all genocides round up the boys and men and get rid of them.” she said. Every year, 4 million people are slaughtered in 35 warring countries. Rapes often go unreported, though there are up to 400,000 documented cases of rape every year in eastern Congo.

For Cheldelin, the women who are victims, combatants, or peacemakers in places like Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe see themselves as ultimately responsible for the next generations and are more more likely to stand up for justice because they see no other options.

Since the 2000 U.N. Resolution 1325, which requires that women be involved in peacemaking efforts, women have made huge political gains, especially in Rwanda.

What about educational advances? “If you teach women to read and write,” said Cheldelin, “98 percent of these women will teach their kids to read and write.”

What are some of the lessons learned from women waging war and peace? Eliminate barriers to education. Promote mechanisms for a “voice” in government. Let women’s work count (but not at the expense of men).

--By Ginny Finch