Durante una estancia de investigación en el Centro de Estudios sobre Conflictos y Paz de Hargeisa, la capital de Somaliland, en noviembre de 2022, supe de la increíble historia de cómo las mujeres lideraron un movimiento de resistencia civil por la paz, que resultó clave para la consolidación de Somaliland como estado separado de Somalia (1991-1996). […]

The more I read and the more I conversed with Somalilander women, the more I came to admire their sense of fraternity—by which I mean the social bond that unites all of us as part of the human family. Fraternity allowed these women to surpass clan differences and the limitations of a traditionally patriarchal Muslim society. As we approach the next presidential Somaliland elections in July (originally scheduled for last November), we are reminded of the delicate nature of transitions to peace and democracy—and the important role of women’s power in consolidating those dynamic processes. […]

2019 resultó ser un año muy movido para las sociedades del mundo que decidieron escribir nuevas páginas de resistencia civil. Las acciones no violentas en demanda de derechos, justicia y libertad fueron increíblemente diversas, enérgicas e inspiradoras en América Latina, donde el despertar popular sacudió regímenes y cambió gobiernos capturando la atención mundial.

Last year was a bustling year for societies around the world that took up the cause of civil resistance. Nonviolent actions for rights, justice, and freedom were incredibly diverse, energetic, and inspiring in Latin America, where a peaceful popular awakening shook regimes, toppled governments, and captured the world’s attention. […]