Empower women through hashtags - New ways to sustainable conflict Resolution?

Hosted on behalf of Gender@International Bonn by

• Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (giz) GmbH
• Deutsche Welle
• United Nations Organizations in Bonn
• UN Women National Committee Germany

Tuesday, June 23 / Room F/G

Fifteen years ago, Resolution 1325 was adopted by the member states of the United Nations. This landmark resolution was the first to demand the active involvement of women in regard to conflict prevention and resolution.
Politics and media often fail to see that women assume a key role in contributing to peace and stability. As today’s world is confronted with ever growing national, regional and global conflict, the need to involve women in all processes of peace-building and peace-keeping is even more fundamental than ever before.

The Internet and social media have ushered in a new era in the history of mass communications and have made information and commentaries available in real-time and almost everywhere around the globe. New media have created new means for women to demonstrate and use their voices against injustices. Examples such as #BringBackOurGirls have shown that hashtags work across borders and create awareness. Nevertheless, it remains a central challenge as to how these initiatives can have stronger impact on political processes for conflict resolution; how social media can contribute to empowering women to make their voices heard; and how media coverage of women's views on conflict-related issues can be increased.

This interactive workshop will take a critical look at the possibilities of using social media as a tool to help women contribute to conflict resolution. Along with the participants, panelists from politics, media and NGOs will examine whether hashtags are just a fad or, if effectively used, can lead to sustainable solutions to conflicts.