Women, patriarchy, AND TRADITIONAL METHODS

Abstract

In recent years, scholars and peace practitioners have expressed interest in exploring the role of traditional methods in peace and conflict resolution strategies. However, many “traditional” societies – which are often characterised by male authority and decision-making at home, rigid gender roles, and definitions of masculinity that are linked to male honour and socio-economic inequality between men and women – have been criticised for their exclusion of women from peace processes. This chapter, while discussing traditional conflict resolution, highlights various challenges associated with equal representation of women in such processes. By discussing “Pashtunwali”, a set of cultural norms followed by the Pashtuns both in Pakistan and Afghanistan from a postcolonial, feminist perspective, the chapter analyses various dimensions and the recent changes in the Pashtun culture and its role in peace and conflict resolution. The author concludes that in societies where male stakeholders justify excluding women from public/private life on “traditional” and “religious” grounds, ensuring equal participation of women in peace processes becomes a major challenge. However, a good starting point for better inclusion of gendered perspectives in traditional societies is using a postcolonial feminist perspective which “problematises, questions and critically examines” women’s exclusion and suffering in public/private life.