Nobel Women's Initiative

Following a coup against the post-colonial democratic government in 1962, Burma/Myanmar has been ruled by a military regime.

The peoples of Burma have called for regime change, with massive demonstrations each decade since independence and numerous individual acts of courage. The military regime (the State Peace and Development Council or SPDC) has remained resistant to internal and international pressure.

Burma’s political, humanitarian and human rights crises are among the world’s most severe. Learn more about the repression of the Burmese people at the hands of the military dictatorship and read about the brave activists who courageously struggle for human rights in Burma.

Every day, every hour, ongoing and past military offensives have devastating effects on the lives of innocent civilians. Even when countries are at peace,' their populations are terrorized by the after-effects of wars that leave their land and communities war-torn and littered with weapons. As the world grows increasingly militarized, conflicts are prolonged and millions remain trapped in poverty and starvation. Funding for health and education programs that would directly advance gender equality is sidelined to amass stockpiles of deadly weapons.

Action can be taken to prevent further unnecessary tragedies. In cooperation with civil society groups, non-government organizations, activists, and other concerned citizens, we call on world leaders and governing bodies to sign and uphold weapons bans from illegally-traded small arms to nuclear weapons of mass destruction. Learn more about the gender dynamics of disarmament and Article 9, as well as international campaigns underway to address landmines, cluster munitions, small arms and nuclear arms.

In recent years spiraling violence in the Middle East has created a turbulent region, from the US-led war in Iraq that has left more than two million Iraqis displaced, to the frightening stand-off between the US and Iran that threatens to bring yet another war to the already volatile region, to the ongoing struggle for peace between Israel and Palestine.

Much of our work at the Nobel Women's Initiative involves the violence wreaking havoc on the region and its devastating impact on civilians, particularly women. We support internationally mediated negotiations for comprehensive peace in the Middle East and will continue to speak out against the war in Iraq, any military action against Iran, and the ongoing occupation of Palestinian land. For more information on campaigns against war in the Middle East go to United for Justice with Peace.

Since 2003, militias backed by the Government of Sudan have waged a brutal counter-insurgency war in the Darfur region of Sudan, targeting the civilian population. Hundreds of thousands of people have died in the violence and over 2 million people have been displaced.

We believe women's rights are central to peace and central to human rights. We also believe in working towards peace as human security rather than state security. Human security is a world where people recognize that sustainable peace, human rights, and sustainable development are indivisible parts of global security.