Reframing Nationalisms and Addressing Gender-based Violence in Societies in Transition

Abstract

This article examines the transformation potential of international mechanisms for reframing nationalisms based on images of the nation supporting unequal gender structures and gender-based violence during periods of ethnonational conflict and conflict settlement processes. It explores opportunities and challenges for changing nationalisms informed by male hopes, aspirations and privileges by engaging with United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 and subsequent resolutions on women, peace and security. Analysing different experiences with implementing this international framework shows that engagement with UNSCR 1325 permits the boundaries of citizenship and nationality to be bridged by exploring different gender perspectives and experiences at the national level. Limitations in the transformative potential of this international mechanism are highlighted, in particular its top-down dynamic, which centres the framework at the national level of political decision-making; this provides less space for experiences and perspectives from the regional and local level to inform the implementation process. The analysis draws on findings from focus groups the author conducted with women activists from Northern Ireland, Liberia and Colombia.