Asia Pacific Women’s Conference
Women, Peace and Security: VISIONS FOR A NEW WORLD
8-10 September 2009 : Philippine Normal University (PNU)
Manila, Philippines
Women are at the center of conflicts and wars, both overt and silent. They bear the brunt of violence in different forms, whether in their personal lives or from armed conflicts within their communities or among nations of the world. Yet women have not been mere victims or casualties of war. Women have always struggled and survived over experiences of violence. They continue to work for peace and build secure communities. Women have been mostly invisible, however, in peace negotiations and policy making in many countries.
It is time for women to take the lead and to declare their vision for a new world where women and humanity can enjoy peace and security. The Conference on Women, Peace and Security: VISIONS FOR A NEW WORLD will be hosted by the Peace Women Partners-Asia Pacific in partnership with the Center for Peace and Human Rights Education of the Philippine Normal University. It aims to bring women of the world together to discuss critical issues and define strategies for women’s peace and security in Asia-Pacific.
Interested women are invited to submit abstracts for presentations relevant to any of the themes below.
THEMES

• Impact of Wars and Militarization on Women
• Nuclear Proliferation
• Foreign Bases
• Women in Internal Conflict Situations
• Threats to Women’s Bodily Integrity
• Domestic Violence
• Sexual assault
• Issues on Women’s Physical and Emotional Health
• Sexual Exploitation In Our Globalized World
• Trafficking
• Prostitution
• Pornography
• Increasing Media Sexualisation of Women and Girls
• Silent Wars Against Women
• Reproductive Technologies
• Use of Pesticide and Genetic Engineering in seeds
• Other Medical and Pharmaceutical Experimentations
• Economic Crisis
• Globalization
• Women’s Poverty
• Employment and Migration
• Control Over Land and Food Production
• Dumping of Drugs on Poorer Nations
• Funding for Women’s Peace and Development Projects
• Environmental Concerns
• Impact of Climate change on women
• Food, water and energy issues
• Destruction of Biodiversity
• Women’s Actions for Peace and Security
• Trauma Healing
• Women’s Roles in Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation
• Women’s Spaces and Communities for Peace
• Alternative Development Paradigms

CATEGORIES FOR PRESENTATIONS AND PARTICIPATION
1. Paper. A 15-minute paper addressing one of the themes.
2. Artistic expression: e.g. visual arts, theater, music, poetry, dance.
3. Poster: Posters will be displayed throughout the conference with time set aside for discussion
4. Craft: Craft items will be displayed and kept for selling as women’s own ways of raising funds
ABSTRACTS
Abstracts are to be 200 words in length and should indicate clearly what the content and purpose of your contribution will be. The following details must be included in your submission:

• . Full name of presenter
• . Presenter’s preferred title
• . Complete mailing address
• . Organisation (if any)
• . Telephone, fax, mobile, email
• . Presentation category (i.e. Paper, Artistic Expression, Poster)
• . Title of presentation
• . Theme (nominate one of the above themes):
• . Abstract (200 words).

Please email to: asiapacific.pwp@gmail.com
Abstracts can also be faxed or mailed to
Asia Pacific Women’s Conference Secretariat
Room 203-A
Center for Peace and Human Rights Education
Philippine Normal University
Taft Avenue, Manila
PHILIPPINES
Telefax. No. (632) 527 03 73
All presenters must be registered for the conference. Details for Registration will be out soon.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF ABSTRACTS: May 15, 2009
If you would like more information, please feel free to email:
Merci L. Angeles : mvl.pwp@gmail.com
Betty McLellan: bettymclellan@bigpond.com