THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN PEACE BUILDING; A CASE STUDY OF LIBERIA

Abstract

This study is based on the role played by women in sensitizing, making and building peace in post conflict times. The case study is Liberia which after prolonged periods of civil war is gradually experiencing a different wave of peace under the leadership of H.E. Ellen Johnson Sir leaf. The study will focus on peace- building at all levels starting from the grass root. The study starts with examining the effects of war in Liberia, focusing on women both as combatants and victims. The role of women in the re-integration process and the influence of other actors will be evaluated. The framework used in the study is based on the theories of feminism and liberalism which help explain the need for human reason and women empowerment in decision making. The methodology used in data collection is reviewing of secondary data and analyzing interviewees to come up with qualitative data. The study uses the case study of Liberia. The fourth chapter which is analytical seeks to verify the findings and the hypotheses, brings the study to a conclusion that indeed, women have a role to play not only in peace- building but also in decision making and development both at national level and international level. The fifth chapter gives recommendations to policy makers and points out further areas of research.