Feature

Women Peacemakers

Photo: Shutterstock
 
Susan Ladika

University educators, recent graduates, and current college students are striving to show that even the deepest rifts have the potential to be healed.

It may take discussion, dialogue, or counseling, but peace can come between communities and within individuals. And understanding is essential, not only within the conflict zones themselves, but also in other parts of the world, which may be viewing the unrest from afar.

The partition of India, which divided India and Pakistan nearly 70 years ago; the genocide in Rwanda two decades ago; and the Egyptian uprising at the start of this decade are all focal points for healing.

These are the stories of four women who are working to promote peace and understanding in current and former conflict regions.

Meenakshi Chhabra: India

Meenakshi Chhabra uses dialogue and personal connection to help break down barriers.

Chhabra, who grew up in India, is an associate professor in the division of interdisciplinary studies at Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and also works as coordinator of the school’s peace and conflict studies specialization.

India’s independence from Britain in 1947 also came with the country’s division. It was divided up into Muslim-dominated Pakistan in the north, and Hindu- and Sikh-dominated India in the south. More than 10 million people were uprooted by the division, including Chhabra’s parents. The ensuing violence that engulfed the land killed at least 1 million people, and countless women were raped.

“The narrative and memories of conflict were always sort of alive in our homes,” Chhabra recalls

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