Living Together in Peace: What Does it Take? (WFWP Middle East)
Written by: Zoe Bennett
On June 9, 2022, the Women’s Federation for World Peace Middle East and Association for Equality and Citizenship (ANWAR), organized together a virtual event under the title: “Living Together in Peace- What Does it Take?”
The attendees had the chance to listen to three presentations on achieving peace through the health of the body and mind, achieving solid societies and caring for the environment. This unique event was moderated by Dr. Hajiba Ayoubi, medical specialist in Occupational Health and Ergonomics and executive at the central service of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection in Morocco.
Dr. Zoe Bennett, Vice President of WFWP Middle East, and President of WFWP Cyprus was the first speaker. She introduced WFWP its nature and goals, alongside Mrs. Brigitte Wada, Vice President of WFWP Europe and President of WFWP France, who introduced the WFWP’s activities in Europe.
Next, Mrs. Mouna Echemmakh gave us the chance to know more about Anwar Association for Equality and Citizenship. Mrs. Echemmakh, who is a member of the executive board of the Association, explained the nature of it, its goals and main objectives: consolidation of a culture of citizenship and of equality between women and men. She highlighted the workshops in Moroccan cities and villages that Anwar organized, and other activities aiming to achieve peace, and create a society that preserves an individual’s dignity.
The first guest speaker, Dr. Fouzia Kadiri, a medical doctor, a specialist in ENT, sleep disorders and clinical psychology, former head of the ENT department in Casablanca hospital, a spiritual health trainer, lecturer and author and president of the Moroccan Society of Sleep and Vigilance, explained about the relationship between health, peace and spirituality. Discussing scientifically proven facts, Dr. Kadiri presented the way how an individual would start achieving peace and how space, spirituality and health are linked.
The second guest speaker, Mrs. Amna Soula, a professional journalist, former director of Radio Tunisia, and former communications director of the center of research of women, highlighted the importance of the media’s role in advancing or preventing, peace. She emphasized that although politics drive away from any direction of nurturing peace, people, at least in Tunisia, continue to live in an atmosphere of fraternity and cooperation.
Finally, Dr. Soumia Guennoun, a lawyer and professor, expressed how important the environment is in creating and consolidating peace. She elaborated on three reflections:
-humans need to make peace with the environment (not abuse it),
-a healthy environment is an essential part of conflict prevention and
-the ecosystem for peace must integrate underrepresented groups such as women, indigenous peoples and young people
An engaging session of questions and answers followed when participants shared their opinions, questions and recommendations. The meeting came to a close with Mrs. Carolyn Handschin, Director of the WFWPI UN Offices and President of the UN NGO/CSW, highlighting each speakers’ important points. Mrs. Handschin stated that the government's responsibility in securing people’s safety and freedom, goes together with people’s responsibility towards life, love, peace and growth. Women as leaders and mothers play an important role in passing a culture of peace to the next generation.
View the full report here!
