Publication

This paper describes how empirical evidence shows that while the near absence of women at the formal level as peace negotiators and as political decision-makers, as well as their informal peacebuilding contributions at the grassroots level, have been routinely recognized, it remains difficult to translate gender awareness into workable plans for implementation. The paper argues for a hybrid position between cultural relativism and "one size fits all" solutions. Four areas of attention are highlighted by the author, namely women's ambivalent roles in peace and conflict, the challenges of inclusive post-conflict transformation processes, the need for organized women's movements, and connecting the international legislative frameworks within national contexts.