'Making women count' in the post-conflict era : reassessing the pillars of the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Agenda
'Making women count' in the post-conflict era : reassessing the pillars of the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Agenda
Date
2022
Authors
Mandal, Isha
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Abstract
Gender equality is a fundamental human right. Based on this, all institutions must grant all genders
equal and fair access to resources and opportunities. However, in the discussion of ensuring fair and
equal rights to all genders, there have always been two major shortcomings -binary representation
of gender and adherence to gender roles. Both in terms of existing literature and implemented
policies, the representation of gender has been limited to men and women.
Specifically, in conflict studies, women's involvement in ethnonational conflicts is often
overlooked, partly due to gender expectations. However, women do frequently engage in conflict in
their diverse roles as informants, combatants, partners, and leaders within the armed forces. Hence,
with an in-depth and diverse understanding of women's participation in the conflict, this thesis aims
to understand the conflict in its multifaceted dimension in a gender-neutral dominant discourse. In
terms of practical implementation, the research aims to highlight the importance of nuanced
contextual analysis in peacebuilding efforts (primarily in peace agreements) and the post-conflict
society.
The thesis uses case studies as a form of qualitative research. In doing so, four conflict zones are
used as case studies – Colombia, Nepal, and Sierra Leone. These case studies were selected based
on three basic criteria: the existence of ethnonational conflicts, the gendered configuration of
society, and regional balance. In using comparative contextual analysis, it aims at highlighting the
importance of implementing gender-inclusive participation and policies within the socio-political
framework of the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda in a post-conflict society.
Description
Second semester University: Ruhr-University Bochum
Keywords
gender,
conflict,
women,
participation,
peace,
security,
Colombia,
Nepal,
Sierra Leone,
case studies