BY MENGISTEAB TESHOME
It is common knowledge that war affects people severely; but women and children differently. Whenever conflicts arise, women and children suffer disproportionately not only during the war; but also even at the aftermath of war. Women and children are often the most vulnerable and prone to being hit the hardest.
During the war, women and children aside from experiencing physical violence, high level of and psychological traumas (stress and fear), suffer from lack of basic resources and compelled to live in constant fear and uncertainty. Further, because the effects of war will continue for years after the war ends, many women are left widowed and countless children orphaned.
Due to this and women’s good nature- compassionate, and caretaker instinct as well as sensitivity about others’ wellbeing-women always stand by the side of peace and prioritize peace at any rate, strive to curb the occurrences of conflicts, not only for the benefit of themselves but also for their families and communities at large; and broker for peace. For this reason, strides and efforts continue to be made in strengthening women’s meaningful participation in peace; and bringing them to the forefront as agents of peace.
“Mothers should stride in unison to stop warmongers who want to benefit out of it” Sewasew Sileshi, founder and CEO of “Mother of the Generation for Peace and Reconciliation” organization.
As to her, it is children of poor Ethiopians and the young people who are sacrificing their lives in unjustifiable war. Therefore, we, mothers, should stop the warmongers forces who are attempting to incite war and benefitting out of it.
In an exclusive interview with the Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA) Sewasew noted that there will not be a generation that turn deaf ears and blind eyes for mothers’ appeal. Thus, mothers should join hands and stand together to stop those forces benefiting from war.
Mentioning that similar movements of women are underway in the western world and in some other areas; Sewasew said that, however what is happening in every state of our country and in some areas is caused by the fact that politicians have got the opportunity to drive the youth towards their own objective to realize their political interests.
She further noted that most of the politicians who have led the country in various contexts are still alive. However, several of the youths who were fighting to fulfill the agenda, interest and purpose of those leaders’ are no longer alive. They sacrificed their lives for the sake of those politicians. For this reason, mothers should be vigilant, mobilize and actively participate in the effort made to stop war, she underscored.
Most of the politicians and leaders who had been participating in Ethiopia’s political landscape over the past 50 years are still alive. Unfortunately, those children of poor Ethiopians ended up serving as cannon fodder. Mother of the Generation for Peace and Reconciliation organization, hence, wants to advice the young people to say “why” and have understanding at all aspects.
“Here after, as mothers, we have no tolerance to shoulder and accept the sufferings and death of a generation. We have travelled a long distance through riots, conflicts, protests, killings, and armed struggle for many years. The one way which we had never tried it is to calm down and come to reconciliation and peace for the common good of the people and the nation, Sewasew remarked.
According to Sewasew, in earlier times, there was a trend of pointing a finger at each other. However, currently all the problems are going down and reflected among the people. It is a brother who is killing his brother. A mother by no means put differentiation among her children and favors one over the other. In the same manner, Mother of the Generation for Peace and Reconciliation, owing the value of a mother, will strive to resolve problems that may arise nationally; and works to sustain peace.
The generation that passed away in the last fifty years is many, said Sewasew. Currently, many people were killed. Other than making the deceased ones a one-time agenda, criminals should be made accountable and quickly punished for the crime they committed, she remarked.
As to the CEO, by alleviating the problem, we should approach and show compassion for the families of those who have lost their beloved ones and those who were killed in different circumstances as their grief is our grief.
“Let us bring the issue seriously, take all the wrongs together and come up with a common solution.”
The organization is keen to work hard being part of the national reconciliation effort and create peace in various parts of the nation based on the mother values and dealing with fairness. “We should work hard to foil the danger and sustain peace,” she reiterated.
The Organization conducted its first meetings in the presence of senior government officials and religious leaders and elders, youth and people drawn from the society among others.
“The conference had been our starting point. We are working setting a plan to grow to a great level and make it mothers’ movement. Mothers’ movement will work focusing on to end up the sufferings and killings of a generation and to bring peace in our land,” Sewasew expressed her ambition and aspiration.
According to her, the antipathy path that political organizations have taken so far has not brought about the desired change for the country and the people.
Even those who claim to liberate the state for the good of the people have done nothing good for the people except exacerbating their sufferings and misery. The way these politicians have followed in the past has failed. The worst, they led the land to sacrifice its young generation.
Those who sacrificed their lives in both parties are our children. We are sick of the death and the sufferings of our young people; and we have to boldly say to all politicians “we will not allow you to gamble with the lives of our children,” Sewasew concluded.
The Ethiopian Herald 27 August 2022
