Major Constraints Facing Women as Peacemakers and Peacebuilders

Abstract

Women have continued to be systematically side-lined in peacemaking, transitional justice and peacebuilding processes, even though the importance of comprehensive inclusion and involvement of women in peace and security for post-conflict societies has been adopted by UNSCR 1325. This resolution recognised the impact of armed conflict and “acknowledged the underestimated and untapped potential of women as effective decision-makers and negotiators” in peace processes. Women’s role in and relationship to conflict is complex, but they are visibly present in a number of roles, including victim-survivors, combatants, casualties, and the displaced, but also as activists against violence and conflict or as supporters. Women in northern Uganda were no exception to these challenges. To build sustainable peace, women’s rights and gender issues, including gender mainstreaming, should be acknowledged and incorporated at every stage of the peace processes. To help women better perform within peacemaking and peacebuilding processes, efforts need to be made to improve women’s education, skills and training, including strengthening women’s organisations and networks through long-term and sustainable financial support.