Sandra Hagelin och Gertrud Åström från Östersjöfred med företrädare för Estlands motsvarighet till Sveriges Kvinnoorganisationer i Tartu 2024 inför seminariet ”Talking about peace in unrest times”:

”When we ask ourselves how we can talk about peace in times of unrest, as is today’s topic, perhaps we should have a closer look at the key concepts – we, peace and unrest. Who are ”we”? Who can talk? And about what? When Sweden decided to go for Nato very few voices were heard discussing peace, but many to prepare for war. So what does it mean to prepare for war but having peace? ”Peace” is not only absence of war and absence of threats of violence. It is a process where women’s movements claim the right to have a voice for women and girls to define topics and perspectives. ”Unrest” is something that women know a lot about, not least is it manifested in societies conditions for women and girls that are not only different than those of men, but worse. Women’s experience of increased violence in ”peace” is described as a pandemic. In conflict and war it is now considered as a weapon and a war crime, thanks to women’s work. With the words of the Norwegian political scientist Helga Hernes we ask ourselves if societies and Nato can be women friendly, in peace and in war?”

Gertrud Åström