Hosted by the Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice, a new cohort of Women PeaceMakers visited the University of San Diego for two weeks in November. During this annual residency, Women PeaceMakers Estefanía Castañeda Pérez and Lilian Olivia Orero spoke at events and Kroc School classes, prepared to conduct original research, and connected with the community. The theme of this year’s Women PeaceMakers Fellowship is borders, gender, and violence reduction.
On November 12, the Women PeaceMakers spoke on a panel open to the public moderated by Kroc IPJ Program Officer for Women, Peace and Security Briana Mawby. Estefanía Castañeda Pérez, whose work focuses on the San Diego-Tijuana border, spoke about how transborder communities can address border-related violence. Lilian Olivia Orero, whose work focuses on creating safe digital spaces, explained how biometric data connects with border violence. Watch the full event recording here.
Throughout the residency, the Women PeaceMakers connected with the Kroc School community by speaking in classes and meeting faculty and staff.
Each of the Women PeaceMakers had the opportunity to present a lunch lecture on the topic of their choosing. Estefanía Castañeda Pérez spoke to attendees about the concept of “border embodiment” and how transborder commuters resist and cope with systemic violence at the San Diego-Tijuana border.
Lilian Olivia Orero’s lunch lecture focused on using the feminist participatory action research approach in practice. She also discussed her journey of founding SafeOnline Women Kenya and overseeing the AI-powered SafeHer app.
Comprised of Kroc IPJ Practice Fellow Kylee Joelle Ocampo and 10 other Kroc School students, the Women PeaceMakers Student Committee spent months planning a special interactive event for students to explore the theme of invisible borders. Kylee Joelle Ocampo moderated a panel discussion with the Women PeaceMakers and attendees participated in a Jenga activity, representing barriers in our lives breaking down and what we will build in their place.
In addition to all this programming, the Women PeaceMakers explored San Diego during the residency, including La Jolla Cove and Mission Beach.
Now that this year’s residency is complete, the Women PeaceMakers will continue meeting virtually to plan their research on borders, gender, and violence reduction. Women PeaceMakers Fellow Noemy Molina, who was unable to visit during the residency, will engage with the Kroc School community as well. Stay connected by following the Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice on Instagram!