Women's peacemaking efforts on the Global Stage ...

It's been said that 'behind every great man, there is a great woman.' This egalitarian remark is usually reserved for politicians or rulers of state, both in times of war and that of peace. If this is true, then the world should take note and give women a larger, more distinguishable role in governance, especially those male-dominated Asian nations. The feminine language used to describe our planet and the environment herein (Mother Earth, Mother Nature), can equally have influence on the decisions made on their behalf.

Iraq's new 25-seat governing council is doing just this. With the task of rebuilding their annihilated nation, this largely Muslim land has included women into the decision making process. Whether by the USA's insistence, or by the enlightenment of the Iraqi men, the three women council members will help to assure that not only the infrastructure, but the soul of their people are returned to their peaceful state.

Contrarily, Myanmar, the martial Law junta continues to toy with the mind of Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy (NLD). This former socialist government has intermittently allowed Suu Kyi to voice her opinions and direct the NLD in their efforts for the renovation of a broken system for the betterment of all. But when she and her followers gain too much momentum, General Shwe, the government's tyrannical overlord, removes the wind from their sails by placing Suu Kyi under house arrest. Last released in May 2002 and free to spread her message, Suu Kyi was again put under house arrest, but this time for her "safety". There was an alleged attempt on her life this past May, and many NLD members were murdered in the process.

Another example of women in the government is our economic advisor/Vice-President come President Gloria Arroyo. She fits some where in between the two previous scenarios. Her position as the leader of a highly corrupt and transient government body is unenviable. The NPA, MILF, Abu Sayyaf as well as internal insurrections have kept her busy during her term. And working within a broken system to fix the same system cannot be easy. And thus she's received praise and criticism alike for the job she's done. In a world where realistically we all cannot be content, her bid for peace and the financial security of her denizen is being felt. Regardless of whether she runs for re-election or not, as the leader of a flailing economy and wife to a deceitful adulterer, GMA has stood for what she deems just and good.

Time immemorial has produced numerous capable women as originators, sustainers and/or finishers of action: Cleopatra; Joan of Arc; Mother Teresa, Rachel Carson; Sandra Day O'Connor, to name a few. The nature of the task, the people it affects and the location of its implementation are all unimportant. The fact that both men and women stand side-by-side as equals is the truly significant variable.

Andrew Haralam is a committed environmentalist.