Conflict Quote by Leymah Gbowee
“It's insulting when outsiders come in and tell a traumatized people what it will take for them to heal... People who have lived through a terrible conflict may be hungry and desperate, but they are not stupid. They often have very good ideas about how peace can evolve, and they need to be asked. That includes women. Most especially women.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Peacebuilding Forum, Liberia, 2011
Outsiders often underestimate the agency of trauma survivors, especially women, by imposing external solutions instead of listening to their insights.
In simple terms: Listen to survivors, especially women, for peace ideas.
Key Takeaway
Ask survivors what they need.
Themes
peacebuilding
gender
agency
trauma
participation
Mood
empathetic
determined
Type
inspirational
activist
When to use this quote
- post‑conflict reconstruction
- community meetings
- NGO program design
- policy consultations
Key Concepts
empowerment
local knowledge
inclusive dialogue
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we ensure survivor voices shape peace processes?
- What barriers prevent women’s ideas from being heard?
A Different Perspective
External experts may lack context, risking ineffective solutions.
![“We go into rural communities, and all we do - like has been done in this room [at TED] - is create the space. When these girls sit ... you unlock great leaders.” quote by Leymah Gbowee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fe5/leymah-gbowee-16010_community_we-go-into-rural-communities-and-all-we_546238.jpg)
