Jestina Mukoko born Gweru, Zimbabwe March 22, 1967. Human rights activist and broadcast journalist. Head of Zimbabwe Peace Project, 2007. Abducted by suspected state agents, 2008; tortured, tried, and released three months later. Awarded Weimar Human Rights Prize, 2009.
“Human rights are a fundamental part of our lives. We are born with these entitlements and we have to defend them.” (Project M, April 1, 2010; photo NewZimbabwe.com)
Florence Mumba born Mufulira, Zambia December 17, 1948. Delegate to Nairobi, 1985; Zambian ombudsman, 1989; presided as judge at Yugoslav War Crimes tribunal, 1997; appointed International Criminal Tribunals vice president, 1999; verdict in first case of wartime rape 2001; Cambodia Tribunal 2009.
"Winners win because they try out something." (photo ICTY)
Betty Kaari Murungi born Meru South, Kenya December 25, 1960. Kenyan international human rights leader. Co-founder and director of Urgent Action Fund-Africa, 2001-09. Vice-Chair of Kenyan Truth, Justice & Reconciliation Commission, 2007-10. Adviser of International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. Promoted women’s participation in peacemaking.
"[W]omen should be able to participate freely in all aspects of conflict transformation and post-conflict reconstruction. . . women also need to be in the places where peace is being negotiated." (Alliance interview, June 1, 2005; photo standardmedia.co.ke)
Janet Museveni born Bwongyera, Uganda August 15, 1949. Founded Ugandan Women's Effort to Save Orphans UWESO 1986; First Lady of Uganda 1986; led fight against AIDS; founded Creators of Peace 1991.
"[It is time] to find out where we have failed as women and as human beings and to resolve we can begin to put right what went wrong." (Caux, 1991, in Michael Henderson, All Her Paths Are Peace, p.2, 1994; photo statehouse.go.ug)
Netsai Mushonga born Bindura, Zimbabwe June 12, 1969. Nonviolent peace activist. Began Women Peacemakers Program (WPP) for Fellowship of Reconciliation, 1997. Arrested for holding meeting for nonviolent resolution training, 2005. National Coordinator of Women's Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ), 2012-14. Nobel Peace Prize nominee, 2005.
“I have benefited more from the work I do than the women I have come across, because they have taught me survival skills in dignity.” (World People’s Blog, Nov. 4, 2006; photo zimeye.org)
Michaela “Chaeli” Mycroft born Cape Town, South Africa August 23, 1994. Winner of 2011 International Children’s Peace Prize at age 17 for advocacy of children’s disability care; first quadriplegic to climb Kilimanjaro 2015.
“I think we need to make a conscious decision to see the light in every person we meet. I think we need to be more positive about each other. If we see the light in each other, I believe we would live in a much brighter world.” (The Wisdom of Love, Oct. 31, 2012; photo discoverafrica.com)
Women in Peace
is dedicated to highlighting the achievements of extraordinary, peacemaking women from around the world.
