Women and Conflict in the New Information Age: Virtual Libraries to the Rescue

Omotayo Bukky O Mrs

IFLA Council and General Conference / .
(ReLIS:jul:juljin:7980)

Abstract:

Peace is more than the absence of war, violence or conflict. The paper looks at feminist theories of peace. Since women and children are the majority persons displayed by war, they have important roles to play, both at national and international levels. Women are “beautiful souls” who love peace, with an innate ability for peace. Africa has suffered more armed conflict in the past decade. From 1960-80 Africa has fought 32 wars. Millions of lives were lost and over a million people are refugees. These conflicts, poverty and diseases have all threatened the stability of the continent. There are many concepts in peace building, amongst which a major one is creating clearer channels to disseminate information between the common people and policy makers, and this is the role of librarians, especially women librarians. Women librarians roles include provision and dissemination of useful and accurate information on peace and peace movements including NGOs, IFLA, U.N., women groups, fight for freedom of access to information, improve reading habits of women and children, organizing exhibitions/talks on peace, ensuring life-long education for women and girls, etc. It is submitted that virtual libraries provide a cheap digital bridge between male and female, and other interest groups.

Creation: 2005
Keywords: Mujeres ; Bibliotecas ; Discriminaión social ; Aspecto social ; Sociedad de la información

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