Gender Equity & Reconciliation

How can we move forward beyond the anger and outrage to heal and transform, in practical ways, the vast crisis of relations between women and men, and among people of all genders? This book addresses that question. Over the past 30 years, the Gender Equity and Reconciliation International (GERI) project has convened over 300 intensive workshops and trainings in 12 countries, for more than 7,000 people on 6 continents. These groups have engaged in a deep process of unravelling the systemic knots of gender conflicts and developed practical skills for transforming gender relations from the inside out. Another 22,000 people have been introduced to the GERI process in conferences and trainings. Inspired by the principles of Truth and Reconciliation developed by the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, the GERI project has a longstanding record. This book is full of inspiring stories that document how the methodology of deep truth-telling and collective alchemy dissolves root causes of gender conflict, through skilfully facilitated, heart-centred transformational experiences, which are followed up with ongoing peer support. There is a passionate global outcry for gender equality, now! But gender equality will wait, just as it has for thousands of years, until all people co-create it together. One-sided solutions are not enough, and shame and blame get us nowhere. The new pathway to healing and creating right relations among the sexes can only be forged by bringing people of all genders together. To courageously confront gender injustice from all sides is the only practical way forward to realize authentic gender equality. Guided by the twin powers of truth and compassion, and supported by skilful facilitation, the GERI process¾as detailed and demonstrated in this book¾creates safe forums to empower the unravelling of gender and sexual conditioning without shame or blame and to begin forging a new culture of gender relations. With contributions from 12 distinguished world leaders in this field, and special inserts from such notable persons as Stanislav Grof, MD, Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, and Peter Rutter, MD, this book is an invaluable resource for laypersons and professionals, educators and religious leaders who are thoughtfully addressing the gender-based conflicts and needs of young and old in their own homes, therapy practices, organizations and congregations across the globe.