/ Focus on Gender Relations
Based on a feminist perspective, cfd has developed strategies for the prevention of violence, peace building and conflict management. The organisation analyses the various forms of violence and exclusion that occur during war and peace. It brings the security needs and interests of women to the fore, giving them visibility and weight.
cfd deconstructs the common association between peaceable behaviour and femininity, and looks at how militarisation relates to concepts of masculinity. cfd supports a feminist politics of peace rather than concepts that follow an exclusive, militarist design. The feminist peace policies are comprehensive, including socio-economic, political, ecological and psychological aspects of peace and safety.
Empowerment ist both the
means and the end of a feminist politics of peace, and can be defined as an
individual and collective process of acquiring power. In this sense, cfd works
to improve women's access to resources, and to influence gender relations in favour of a greater gender equality.
A Transversal Study on Empowerment
cfd provides various counseling and educational services focused on gender issues, civil conflict management and peace building. Its target audience consists of professionals in peace building, development cooperation, humanitarian aid and other similarly interested organisations, groups and specialists.
Networks
cfd is involved in the Swiss Association of the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (Eappi). This internationally based program that monitors the Human Rights situation and accompanies non-violent actions was initiated by the Ecumenical Council of Churches.
The cfd is on the steering committee of the 'Center for Peacebuilding' (KOFF). The various KOFF round tables, for example on gender issues or on the Near East, are important platforms for an exchange of information between NGO's and state actors.
As a member of the directory board of the 'NGO-Coordination post Beijing', cfd watches over the implementation of the 'Plan of Action for Gender Equality in Switzerland', and contributes to the shadow reports for the UNO.
cfd cooperates with the 'GSoA' (Group for an Army-Free Switzerland) and 'Frauen für den Frieden Schweiz' (Women for Peace Switzerland), lancing initiatives, campaigns and staging events that touch on current peace-related topics. The cfd and the 'Schweizerischer Friedensrat' (Swiss Council for Peace) have worked together for many years.
