Women's experience of war and her role in peace

There are two sides of war - one that we talk about and see - the anonymous victim, the inevitability of rape, and the objective discussion of casualties, operations and death. The other side, Zainab Salbi challenges us to think about, is the side of the social fabric of a society that has been torn by destruction and fear and of the thunderous the silence of humanity. It is this latter side of war, the social humanity side, where women are actively involved in nurturing.

Founder of Women for Women, Iraq born Zainab Salbi has spent her life committed to helping women rebuild their lives and communities. Her 2010 TED Salbi talks about the way in which women experience war and the role of  women in maintaining community throughout the violence. Her talk is inspiring. She tells stories about women performing puppet shows, while bombings continue outside, to distract the children; a music teacher who keeps school open and continues to teach music throughout the war so children can continue to play their instruments; one woman after a bombing collected all the flour she could find and made bread to share with her community in case there was no ceasefire the following day. Salbi expresses how men and women interpret peace differently - as a halt to fighting or as the return of schools and jobs. Women keep life going during the destruction of war.

She advocates for the involvement of women at the peace table and demands the recognition of the role women play in re/building community throughout the violence. Her talk is powerful and evocative and reminds us of the personal side of war and to consider a dream of peace.