Ep 2. Pray the Devil Back to Hell
- October 18, 2011
In Women, War & Peace season 1 episode 2 titled Pray the Devil Back to Hell, viewers are brought to Liberia in the early 2000s during the Second Liberian Civil War. The episode focuses on a group of women who band together to form the Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace, a nonviolent peace movement that ultimately brings an end to the conflict.
The episode begins by providing some context for the war and the devastating effects it had on the country and its people. The conflict was sparked by the rebellion of warlord Charles Taylor against the government led by president Charles Doe. Taylor's forces were notorious for their use of child soldiers and brutal tactics, and the war dragged on for over a decade, leaving the country in ruins.
Despite the toll the war was taking on their communities and families, many women in Liberia felt helpless and powerless to stop the fighting. However, a group of women led by social worker Leymah Gbowee decided they couldn't sit idly by any longer. Gbowee brought together women from all walks of life, including Christians and Muslims, to form the Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace.
The movement began with a small group of women praying together, but it quickly grew to include marches and protests throughout the country. The women demanded a seat at the peace negotiations being held in Ghana, and they refused to leave until their voices were heard.
The episode includes interviews with several members of the movement, including Gbowee herself, as well as footage from the protests and negotiations. We see how the women's persistence and commitment eventually led to the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, which brought an end to the war and paved the way for democratic elections.
One of the most powerful moments in the episode is when Gbowee and the other women stage a sit-in outside the negotiation hall, blocking the doors and refusing to move until their demands are met. The women faced intimidation and harassment from security forces, but they refused to back down. Their brave and unwavering commitment to peace ultimately paid off, and their efforts are widely credited with ending the war in Liberia.
The episode also explores some of the challenges the women faced along the way, including opposition from traditional male leaders and the difficulty of bridging religious and ethnic divides. Despite these obstacles, the women remained united and focused on their goal of ending the war.
Overall, Women, War & Peace season 1 episode 2 is a powerful and inspiring look at the women who helped bring peace to Liberia. It highlights the importance of grassroots movements and the impact that ordinary citizens can have on shaping their country's future. It provides a hopeful message that even in the darkest times, there is always room for hope and change.
