The Cost of Ignoring Gender in Conflict and Post-Conflict Situations: A Feminist Perspective

Nadine Puechguirbal

doi:10.37974/alf.207

Abstract

This article focuses on the cost of ignoring gender when analyzing conflict and post-conflict environments. It explains how a feminist perspective allows us to uncover hidden gender power relations and deconstruct the so-called gender-neutral approach in international relations. By highlighting the differential impact of war on women and men as regards security issues, we understand why the cessation of hostility is not always synonymous with peace for women. We also understand how patriarchy resurfaces after a war and marginalizes women who are mainly seen as powerless victims and sidelined in peace talks that promote a conservative return to the status quo ante bellum .

Highlights

Women and men can be civilians, combatants, at the same time victims and actors; in spite of well-documented literature[3] on the multiple roles that women play in times of war, the international community continues to frame them in strict gender roles that perpetuate stereotypes and reinforce inequalities in post-conflict situations
Women are rarely invited to participate in peace processes because they are not seen as essential key players; this situation allows a gender hierarchy to continue to prevail in the post-conflict phase
Because the participation of women in the public realm of politics poses a threat to male dominance and power, women have been repeatedly marginalised on the grounds of essentialist gender differences that use biology as a symbol for discrimination

Summary

Introduction

Women and men can be civilians, combatants, at the same time victims and actors; in spite of well-documented literature[3] on the multiple roles that women play in times of war, the international community continues to frame them in strict gender roles that perpetuate stereotypes and reinforce inequalities in post-conflict situations. Women are sidelined in peace talks and negotiations because of a strict division of labour that reassigns traditional roles and responsibilities to women and men in the reconstruction process. Peace is feminised and skills women can bring to the reconstruction process are defined within an essentialist realm with the aim of “preserving the social order”, maintaining women in a pre-war pattern of caregivers and providers.[4]. A feminist perspective allows prevailing norms and attitudes towards issues relating to women, peace and security to be challenged and allows the deconstruction of patriarchy and related hegemonic masculinity

A ‘Gender-Blind’ Approach

Women as Civilian Victims

Security Issues

Deconstructing Patriarchy

Findings

Conclusion