Aims and Principles of Peace and Freedom
The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom has consistently advocated for peace and freedom for nearly 100 years, since its inception in 1915.
The insight of WILPF’s foremothers remains valid today:
In order to achieve peace and freedom, the causes of war must be eliminated, and economic and social systems based on profit and privilege must be transformed to societies based on political and economic equality, participation of women and men, and justice for all – regardless of race, sex or creed.
WILPF’s overall aims are to:
- bring together women of different political beliefs and philosophies who are united in their determination to study, make known, and help abolish the causes and the legitimization of war
- work toward world peace, total and universal disarmament, the abolition of violence and coercion in the settlement of conflict, and itsreplacement in every case by prevention, negotiation and conciliation
- strengthen multilateralism and support the civil society to democratise the United Nations system
- support the continuous development and implementation of international humanitarian law; promote political and social equality and economic equity; contribute towards co-operation among all people; and enhance environmentally sustainable development
To achieve these aims, WILPF’s program for 2011-2015, both internationally and in Australia, has the overall aim of redefining Security and its priorities are to:
In furtherance of our objective " to study, make known, and help abolish the causes and the legitimization of war", in April 2014, WILPF sections in the Asia Pacific region - Australia, Japan, Philippines, French Polynesia, hosted by WILPF Aotearoa - met in New Zealand to discuss "Militarisation in the Pacific".
A report on the meeting was prepared by Megan Hutchings from WILPF Aotearoa.