Being a feminist peace activist in the year 2022 is a challenge. After Putin’s invasion of Ukraine in February, the focus soon shifted from people affected by the war to European weapons export, military capabilities, and possible Swedish NATO membership. In record time both policy and public debate became vastly militarized, having consequences on who’s seen as an expert, what choices seemed politically possible, and how security is created. Less than a year before the world left Afghanistan, after 20 years of military intervention ending in the Taliban again ceasing power with women’s rights over night being restricted. 

After repeated military failure when it comes to building peace, why do we continue to see military responses to crisis as the answer? Is it possible to see other solutions in a highly militarized world? How can one avoid being militarized, and continue the work to build true feminist peace and human security?

With: Cynthia Enloe via link, Elham Kohistani, Malin Nilsson