Women and Peace Processes: Contributions from Gender Studies and Peace studies.

This paper is being submitted for the panel on "Bridging the Theoretical Divides: A Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Issues of Peace and Conflict." It contributes an example of scholarship drawing gender studies into peace studies. The term "peace process" refers to political processes and strategies for resolving conflict through peaceful means. The first image one might have of "peace processes" is that of official representatives of warring factions and third party interlocutors sitting around a table, airing concerns with the ultimate goal of hashing out a peace agreement that will put an end to hostilities. Diplomacy and formal peace negotiations are critical elements of peace processes, however a much broader array of actors and actions are implicated by this term. The first stage of peace processes -- peacemaking --- does refer to attempts to end hostilities through "negotiation, mediation, and dialogue in both official and unofficial arenas." However, the second stage of peace processes, commonly termed "peacebuilding" or "conflict transformation," encompasses much broader attempts to shape more peaceful futures through the design of new political institutions which repair relationships and support democratic processes and the implementation of human rights guarantees. This paper considers the gendered nature of both peacemaking and peacebuilding and identifies possibilities and limitations for addressing gender inequities and for advancing women's role in the full range of peace activities. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]