A Critical Analysis of the Role of Women in Peace-building: a Case Study of Burundi and Somalia

Abstract

Violent conflicts, political instability or unjust policies and practices in different societies often result to human suffering - men, women and children alike. Short-term humanitarian aid, military intervention, diplomatic intervention just to name but a few are insufficient in the aftermath of conflict. Recognizing this short-coming, a global awareness has grown on the need for post-conflict reconciliation, reconstruction and peace building, with the goal of restoring conflict-destroyed structures and relationships. As a sub-field of International Conflict Management, peace building is fast becoming a popular field of concern for most scholars, conflict management analysts, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, different groups and individuals working in the area. As individuals who are affected by conflict in different ways, women have been playing a significant role. in the rebuilding process of the countries. Although women's role has been documented in different conference reports, project documents and publications, very little analytical reflection has been made to see to what extent their role has been effective, what problems they have encountered in the process, and what strategies they have employed to carry on with their activities. Such analysis is relevant in improving on knowledge of the specific challenges of peace building in general and on women's role in peace building in particular. It is my hope that this knowledge would definitely influence the above mentioned stakeholders and other interested parties, to take into account women's issues when planning and practicing post-conflict peace building activities and initiatives.