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Even Wars Have Limits

- November 4, 2008 The Geneva Monologues, an evening of monologues and discussion on the topic of war crimes." />

Members of Even Wars Have Limits include Theresa Schiewe (at top and moving clockwise) Gaju Karekezi, Nick Aikins, Hilary Young, Kiki Wood, Erin Grinnell. (Danny Abriel Photo)

Even Wars Have Limits (EWHL) is a group of volunteers comprised of Dalhousie, Kings and Saint Mary’s students and affiliated with the Red Cross that has chosen to educate high school students and the greater community through workshops on humanitarian issues and events such as the Geneva Monologues.

“Our group is comprised of eight very eager and enthusiastic volunteers and a representative from the Red Cross,” says King's student Kiki Wood.

The group is currently gearing up for the Geneva Monologues, scheduled to take place Wednesday, Nov. 5 at the Ouro Preto Cafe on University Avenue.

“All the monologues are written by survivors of war.” says Ms. Wood. Discussions will take place after the monologues to encourage the community members to become more involved with these projects.

If you go
WHAT: The Geneva Monologues, an evening of monologues on the discussion of the crimes of war.
WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 5, 7:30 to 9 p.m.
WHERE: Ouro Preto Café, 5743 University Avenue, Halifax.
HOW MUCH: It’s free.
EWHL uses the Geneva Monologues as a way to raise awareness in the community about the atrocities  committed during war. Rape, kidnapping and being forced to flee or become a child soldier are some of the many topics covered in the presentations.

“Halifax is such a great place to do something like this,” remarks Ms Wood, in the Contemporary Studies Programme. “People here just are so enthusiastic to take action on these issues.”

Groups have been formed at thigh schools where members of EWHL have conducted workshops in reaction to the various subjects they talk about; high school students, too, are also trying to make a difference.

“It’s really rewarding to see youth take action after seeing one of our presentations,” says Ms. Wood. She has similar hopes for the Geneva Monologues.

EWHL is found in many countries around the world and there are several small divisions of it in Canada. New members are always welcome.

LINK:

Did you know?

  • Civilians pay the highest price in today's conflicts, with women and children forming the majority of the world's refugees and displaced.
  • Today war and armed conflict devastate over 60 countries across the globe. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) conducts operations in over 80 countries and maintains a permanent presence in over 60 countries worldwide.
  • In 2006, a total 5,751 casualties from landmines, explosive remnants of war (ERW) and victim-activated improvised explosive devices (IED) were recorded in over 68 countries around the world. Civilians accounted for three-quarters of casualties and children were 34 per cent of the total civilian casualties. (The Landmine Monitor Report of 2007)
  • Sexual violence as a means of warfare or the demand that women have more children to replace lost sons increases the vulnerability of women during periods of armed conflict. During the conflict in the former Yugoslavia, over 20,000 women were raped in 1992 alone. For such reasons, increased insecurity and fear of attack often force women and children to flee, as a result, they form the majority of the world’s refugees and displaced. (Fact Sheet, UN Development Fund for Women, 1999, "Violence Against Women Around the World”, ICRC Publication, Women and War)
  • At the end of 2005, the global figure of refugees and internally displaced or stateless people stood at 21 million. By the close of 2006, 32.9 million, or an increase of 56 per cent was the total – the equivalent of the population of Canada.(UNHCR 2006 Global Trends Report)
  • Despite the specific protections for children under International Humanitarian Law and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, children continue to be recruited as soldiers in conflicts around the world.

    — Red Cross