Edit Schlaffer

Activist, Change agent, Educator/Teacher, Global soul, Journalist, Parent, World traveler, Writer/Editor

Dr. Edit Schlaffer Social scientist, author and activist, started Women without Borders (WwB) in 2002. Her research and activities focus on women in international politics, women as agents of change in politics and civil society. Her numerous publications have earned critical acclaim. Today her activities target the need for female capacity building on the professional and political level and the need for gender-just societies. Her areas of expertise are reality-based, gender inclusive and project- and action-oriented research that can bring about change. She considers the relevance of social sciences as an early warning system which, in the current situation of international tension, is more needed than ever. Together with the WwB team Edit Schlaffer developed “This is me!” confidence and competence trainings to encourage the growing numbers of highly educated and committed women to play a decisive role in co-shaping the future of their countries, travelling from Saudi Arabia to India, Africa and the EU. Edit considers the relevance of social sciences as an early warning system which, in the current situation of international tension, is more needed than ever. Edit designed a number of ground breaking projects focusing on building up female self-confidence as the key tool for establishing a female powerbase in countries of transition, from tradition to modernity, such as Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Rwanda and India. The latest initiative Edit launched is SAVE – Sisters Against Violent Extremism, the first women´s anti-terror platform, headquartered at the Women without Borders offices in Vienna, Austria. Women without Borders is an international research and lobbying organisation for women around the world focusing on alternative female diplomacy. As an international network for dialogue and action oriented projects, Women without Borders promotes the experiences of other strong and successful women internationally. WwB honours and gives a platform to women of substance from high ranking women officials to grass roots heroines. WwB stands for non-violent and peaceful conflict resolutions in countries of transition and reconstruction. WwB is building bridges and linking up with the cadre of educated, effective and well connected women around the world who are currently emerging as the acceptable face of the Arab modernisation. The secret of its success lies in its approach to its work: exclusively project-oriented, and always in conjunction with local organizations who usually know best what they need. Their approach supports current societal processes—without judgment and without ready-made answers. Catalyst In the meantime, the organization works around the world on numerous projects, and is invited to important international conferences. At the beginning of a project there is always listening, and finding out through discussion, what the real needs are. Many women drowned in the South Indian tsunami, because they could not swim. The organization offered swim lessons to the women. With the swim lessons, the standing of the women rose as well—in a village-based society “that is starkly afflicted by domestic violence.” In this way, internally desired processes can affect societal change through project-specific support from the outside.

SAVE (Sisters Against Violent Extremism) is the world's first female counter-terrorism platform. SAVE brings together a broad spectrum of women determined to create a united front against violent extremism. SAVE provides women with the tools for critical debate to challenge extremist thinking and to develop alternative strategies for combating the growth of global terrorism. Strategic Outlook: SAVE breaks through barriers of nationalism, religion, and ethnicity in order to create a global network of women dedicated to ending violent extremism. SAVE will function as a strategic platform to promote women's voices in the international security, counter-terrorism, and peacebuilding debates. As the voices of civil society, women must be included as sought-after contributors in the security arena. Women without Borders is in the process of creating unique local women's SAVE networks in countries affected

Dialogue, Gender, Inclusion, Research, terrorism