Kuwait hosts first ‘Women in War’ conference
KUWAIT: Sheikha Intisar Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah announced that the first women’s social conference will be held in November in Kuwait in conjunction with the Regional Delegation of the ICRC in Kuwait and INTISARS. The conference will be inaugurated in the presence of Christine Beerli, Vice-President of the ICRC in Switzerland, Sheikha Intisar Al-Sabah, Chairperson of the Al-Nowair Initiative for Positivity and INTISARS and the Fine Artist Amira Behbehani with a group of Kuwaiti women activists.
Sheikha Intisar said that the role of women during wars is substantially multiplied in the absence of fathers and husbands as in this case women will bear several burdens such as caring for their households, ensuring their safety, fostering them with love, protection, food, clothing and medicine and defending their small families that are part of the larger society. Furthermore, women constitute a solid source for motivation and encouragement for the people surrounding them. Therefore, they are not only a pillar of the household itself but also a backbone for the whole society. However, women are often bound unfortunately to be forgotten by non-governmental and international organizations, which often dedicate their major care and resources for children, the elderly and men.
Sheikha Intisar pointed out “If we go back in history we find out that women have played a major role in wars over time. In the First World War, for example, not only did women take over from men who were either engaged in fighting or working in weapon factories, but thousands of them also served in armies as nurses. As far as Kuwait is concerned, women worked since the independence of Kuwait and during the Iraqi invasion on defending their country and protecting their families. Women are a driving force that should not be overlooked because they have always proved their resilience. That is why, they should be deemed as a shield for any society that aims at continuous prosperity. “
Considerable role
The head of the ICRC Regional Delegation, Yahia Alibi, has also pointed out that this conference will play a considerable role in raising awareness about the International Humanitarian Law, especially in demonstrating the mechanisms of how it protects women in war and the services provided by the ICRC to women during armed conflicts. He also added that some categories of people are entitled to specific protection under this law, and this is the case for women and children who should receive special respect and protection especially against any form of indecent behavior. This special protection granted to children is attributed to their age related vulnerability, whereas the protection of women is mainly due to their special needs in terms of health, hygiene physiology and maternity. He also commended the efforts of Sheikha Intisar Al-Sabah and Amira Behbehani in supporting this important issue.
Exhibition
The activities of this conference will include an exhibition organized by the conceptual artist Amira Behbehani that will bring together international, regional and local artists to display their works on women in war. It will be held in ‘The Hub’ gallery.