Women as Leaders of Change for a Just Peace

Dr. Ruchama Marton Founder &PresidentPhysicians for Human Rights-Israel

Physicians for Human Rights-Israel

PHRI is a non-profit organization that struggles to end the occupation in order to halt human right violations in the Occupied Territory and for the realization of the right to health for all.

PHRI introduced the term and concept of human rights in general and in the OPT in particular where it was not present before.

Feminism and the Struggle for Peace

PHRI - a model of women who move beyond the narrow sector of the struggle for women’s rights and engage in broad-based action for human rights, against the occupation, and in favor of social justice and equality.

In PHRI women are leaders rather than laborers in men-led organizations, stating that the whole world is within women’s interest.

International Women’s Peace Day - Demonstration to End the Occupation, Jerusalem, 2000

Struggle Within

Some men in the organization were unable to accept a woman leader who refused to submit to male hegemony.

Hag or Nag – things were said that would never be said about a man in the same position.

Struggle Outside

With time, achieving more strength, more members and influence – the Israeli establishment replaced their ignoring attitude not with respect, but with a cruel fight against PHRI.

“The activities of PHR-Israel constitute fertile ground for anti-Israeli and anti-Zionist anti-Semitism”. (21 July 2009, The chairman of IMA)

Among Our Achievements

Women empowerment – Hadas Ziv, CEO. Organizational culture that embodies a real

spirit of sisterhood for women and men that has endured for many years and has managed to resist the dominant militaristic power-based nature of Israeli society.

Beyond Hegemony & Hierarchy

We believe in the possibility of moving beyond the structured system of hegemonic order.

Those who want to act to mend the worst wrongs and heal the greatest pain do not have a sacred hierarchical order.

Thank you

Asia Pacific Women’s ConferenceWomen, Peace and Security: VISIONS FOR A NEW WORLD8-10 September 2009 : Philippine Normal University (PNU)Manila, Philippines