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Along Lake Geneva from 2-21 July, an exhibit, “Women in War,” highlighted the stories of women who were combatants, activists, mothers, leaders and survivors of war. The exhibit, developed by the International Committee of the Red Cross in collaboration with National Geographic, aimed to break the stereotypes that reduce women to the status of victim only, and to highlight the sometimes complex and difficult roles they have in wars.
The exhibition, which is part of a wider project called "A Woman's War", raised awareness to the Geneva public of the situation of women affected by armed conflict, and the importance of assessing and addressing their needs.
Over the centuries, the exhibit pointed out, history has proven that women have played countless roles in warfare, from maintaining the home, raising up children singlehandedly to supporting the military with domestic work and taking up nursing positions near the frontlines, saving the lives of many. It is undeniable that women are key foundations of stability in conflict-affected areas and they hold together not only their families but their communities and nations.
As the exhibition closes, the World Council of Churches (WCC) urged all people of good will to join the “Thursdays in Black” campaign for a world free from rape and violence, including rape as a weapon of war.
