Women War & Peace

Set in the context of war, when rape is routinely used as an instrument of power and humiliation—as well as an attempt to subjugate the enemy—this four-part PBS series examines cases where women fought back in the court of world public opinion. The first episode, “I Came to Testify,” narrated by Matt Damon, deals with the horrific “ethnic cleansing” that took place among Serbs, Croats, and Muslims in early-1990s Yugoslavia. Almost overnight, nationalistic Serbs attacked former friends and neighbors—songs celebrated rape and slaughter, “rape camps” were set up, and Muslim women were subjected to gang attacks in brothels. International outrage led to a war crimes tribunal in The Hague where victims—whose identities were concealed—came forward to accuse their tormentors in what was mostly a symbolic effort (estimates suggest that the number of incidents exceeded 50,000). Serb leaders were convicted, but Bosnia remains a chilling reminder that such atrocities could recur. The second episode, “Peace Unveiled,” narrated by Tilda Swinton, concerns the plight of Afghan females during Taliban rule, when they were forbidden to seek most medical care, schools were burned, and cumbersome, identity-concealing burkas were mandatory garments. Today, after the fall of the Taliban, women worry that their hard-won freedoms may be traded in peace talks with ultra-conservative Muslims. The episode follows several women who attend a jirga, run for office, and encourage voting and education for Afghan girls—occasionally risking their lives. The third episode, “The War We Are Living,” narrated by Alfre Woodard, examines the plight of Afro-Columbian women whose land has been expropriated, while the final hour, “War Rexamined, narrated by Geena Davis, offers a broader look at the role of women in war and peace. Serving up an unflinching exploration of important international issues, this timely series is recommended. Aud: C, P. (S. Rees)