Gender-Based Violence: Creating (Catholic) Political Will

UNSCR 1325 remains unrealized after a quarter century, especially regarding gender-based violence. The experiences of Colombia and Kenya demonstrate that women’s representation in formal laws and political office is insufficient to achieve gender equality, if women remain embedded in gender-biased economic, political and ecclesial power structures. Political will for change requires expansion and localization by women’s activism, in which Catholic women’s initiatives are already engaged, yet under-recognized. Colombia and Kenya illustrate that Catholic women’s organizations and intercultural, interfaith women’s networks can be disruptive, creative, and powerful agents of political will in favor of the Women, Peace and Security goals