Peacebuilding practitioners with caring responsibilities: Navigating COVID-19 challenges and opportunities to advance an ethics of care in peacebuilding

Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the engagement of employees with unpaid caring responsibilities in peacebuilding, and the subsequent impact on peacebuilding work. It finds that, while the pandemic compounded the difficulties facing these employees, it also presented opportunities to change work practices to better respond to their needs and, thus, mitigate some of the individual, organisational and sectoral harms that otherwise arise. This paper concludes by arguing for an ethics of care be advanced in peacebuilding, which acknowledges the interconnectedness between people, recognises the importance of care in societies, and is more attentive and responsive to the needs of others. It further argues that the care lens should be directed inwards by organisations engaged in peacebuilding, to attend to the needs and the well-being of employees, recognising the adverse impact that not doing so can have on efforts to build peace.