Ms Melanie Hoewer:

We cannot change it from the outside. I have been engaged in several research projects in recent years in which I have been amazed by what has happened as a result of the social mobilisation of women who have been actively involved as fighters in conflict. When they raise the issues internally, it gives a strength to the argument. Let me give the example of the Zapatista fighters in South Mexico. We met a delegation of women from Liberia who have been instrumental in raising their boys for peace and standing up and creating the space to not only address the issue of woman's exclusion, but moving towards peace and also addressing the issues they do not like about their own customs and traditions. That is the only way I see of making progress in changing culture and traditions. Of course, this is linked to a contact and dialogue on women's rights which is happening at international, regional and local level. Those voices are crucial.