Women and Post Conflict Reconstruction
‘It is not because we think better than men, but we think differently. It’s
not women against men, but women and men. It’s not that the world would
have been a better place if women had run it, but the world will be a
better place when we as women, who bring our perspectives, share in
running it’ Betty Bumpers (Founder, Peace links USA). International Alert
(1999)
Reasons for Women inclusion in Post Conflict Reconstruction
When we talk about post conflict reconstructions we think women must be
involved, because they have important and necessary roles to play in all the
phases of post conflict reconstruction. Women are in a better position to
explain or talk to women who took part in the fighting in terms of
demobilization and reintegration, because they are quite knowledgeable about
fellow women and these ex-combatants will be willing to open up with fellow
women and share their fears and concerns. In addition to these reasons
scholars have identified other reasons that may not be strictly due to peace
related reasons. Some of the reasons proffered are:
Equal Opportunity: The affirmative actions enshrined in many human rights
charters were there because women have never been given opportunities like
the men. Even the constitution of Uganda for example, affords equal right and
opportunities to women with men in political, economic and social activities and
the right to participate in affairs of government individually or through
representation. Although such provisions indicate equal opportunity and
participation for women in all official initiatives to address the war, but in
reality, the rights of Ugandan women have merely been formulated as part of
mainstream human rights with no corresponding consensus about the meaning of
justice in relations to men and women. If women are given opportunities to
share their perspectives like Betty said above, the world will be a better place.
So, women should be allowed to contribute their quota to national
reconstruction, be it before or after the conflict.
Psychological Emotional Support: Conflicts have psychological, physical and
material impacts on the lives of women. For many of them seeing their children
some times forcefully conscripted into the army by the government, and
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subsequently come back as handicapped invalids can be very shocking
experiences for them. For example, during the Ethiopia wars against the
Eritrea, they were forced to contribute utensils to the war front and prepare
food for soldiers in wars that they never supported. All the women could do was
comfort one another to over come the psychological feelings. An Ethiopia
woman, Naamat Issa a prisoner explained:
“In prison, we tried to comfort one another to overcome the
psychological emotions, we shared food and other necessities that we
receive from friends and relatives, and we tried to established a sort of
communal life. Those who had no children with them tried to share the
burden of bringing up children born in the prison, helping with their
education. We share knowledge and experience; we enhance the future
participation of women in political, social, cultural and economic activities
in peaceful and democratic atmosphere by raising each other’s political
consciousness.” International Alert (1999)
The psychological damage will not be repaired without a real solution to these
miserable situations, and this explains why women must take part in the post
conflict reconstructions of the countries they find themselves after the
conflict.
Conflict Experiences
Some neighborhoods, families and individuals suffered multiple and repeated
losses. Women have been directly affected by the conflict as victims of
violence, as bereaved relative and friends and as the people who have often had
to cope with direct and indirect effects of conflict in families and communities.
Manchanda, (1999) explains, “when the repression is strong the men retreat
because they are too vulnerable. Instead the women came out in their
traditional roles, as nurturer and as protectors of community. It is an
empowering experience”. It is the women who negotiate with the security
forces and the administration. It is both women’s importance and weakness that
gives them the rights to access the powerful and say “give me justice”. “When
the struggle is most spontaneous, women are most visible, when it is much more
hierarchically structure, women are much less visible.” Rita Manchanda (1999).
And this we think is unfair.
Gender Lens Analysis
Gender, means boy and girls are encouraged by their families, school, religious
organizations, and communities to be different. These different expectations
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of males female are known as “gender”. So, gender is a social construction which
is important in planning any peace process. When peace plans do not consider
the differences between men and women and how the plans affect them, and
make efforts to take care of them, the plans will be faulty.
Prove That They Have Peace Capacity Can Be Successful Negotiators
In April of 1915, world war was raging across Europe for nine months. According
to some estimates, more than 5.500 soldiers died every day in a war that would
ultimately leave 8.5 million dead. People were numbed by the devastation, but a
group of women activists decided they could not sit and wait for the end of war.
Instead, for the first time in history women crossed borders in wartime to talk
about how to end the conflict. About 1000 women from 12 warring and neutral
Countries and convened the first International Congress of Women (ICW) in
The Hague. The ICW sent 30 delegates on the first Women’s Peace Mission to
bring the plan of action to the heads of European states. There are many
examples where have courageous intervened in battle to forge peace, for
instance, in Ethiopia, Somalia and Sudan. Women have also taken up
opportunities for peacemaking between groups of warring man. Many women
activists express their values behaviour and codes explicitly as a factor of their
gender. As one female peace activist in the Philippines writes. “Both men and
women have the potential for peacemaking and the responsibility to build and
keep peace. The women, however, seem more creative and effective in waging
peace. It is the women’s emotional strength to transcend pain and suffering,
and their predisposition to peace that provides them with greater potentials
for peacemaking”. Some women’s organizations have developed the capacity to
work openly to protect and extend human rights. This is especially the case in
many Latin American Countries.
UN Resolution 1325
The UN Resolution 1325, provided the mandate for women inclusion in peace
building. The realization of the important role women can play in peace process
and therefore go far to convene a session to deliberate on the role of women
and led to the development of the Resolution shows that women can play
important role, and therefore, should be given the opportunity. The
Communications Of The Beijing Declaration And Platform For Action (A/52/23)
as well as those contained in the outcome document of the twenty-third Special
Session of the United Nation General Assemble entitled “Women 2000 Gender
Equality, Development and Peace for the Twenty-first Century” (A/S-
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23/10/Rev, in particular those concerning women and armed conflict, sex
discrimination is a pervasive pattern that harms women in their dialing law
around the world. In Africa just like other regions of the world, several
countries have laws that explicitly discriminate against women, and this should
be stopped.
Challenges of Women Inclusion in Post Conflict Reconstruction
Although we have identified reasons for women inclusion in post conflict
reconstructions, it is still important for us to acknowledge that there are still a
lot of works to do to make this happen, and happen successfully. Research has
shown that, there is a need to address the challenges that make it difficult for
women to get involved. The following are the obstacles that must be removed
for effective inclusion of women:
Culture Deconstructions and Reconstruction
The tradition culture of most non-Western societies emphasizes in equality of
men and women. There is a discrimination against women which show that as
second class citizen. There are rules which are very explicit and encourage
intimidations of the women. There is a need to deconstruct these values and
emphasize these as gender roles, which are not biological, and not permanent,
but transitional which is subject to change. Therefore, when families and
community begins to show that, these culture values are not supportive of
growth and development, they will begins to reduce their value and control, and
women will be “delivered” from these draconic holds of traditions. Women who
make efforts to move these changes should be supported, expressively in post
conflict reconstruction of the war torn societies.
Training and Education for Women
It is very important that women particularly realize that freedom, or
independence is not a kolanut served to all, but a struggle that most be made.
And this struggle or fight must be fought strategically
The most effective fighting tool for women is educations; which goes beyond,
classroom educations to include knowledgeable of the expectations and
responsibility. Women who plan to get into leadership position with the men,
bust be double qualified or else she cannot make a breakthrough, even if there
are one million reasons why women should be included
“Training and education for women to enable them
to become viable candidates for leadership and
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decisions making position is a wide range of
institutions, including government bureau crapes”. Pankhurst (1999)
In additions to the educations and training in governance and leadership skills,
they need to learn mediation and conflict management skills, consultation and
negotiations, so that they can be better qualified for that leadership position
they seek for.
Policy Change for Gender Mainstreaming.
Analyzing the policies of peace building, even in the UN all reveal vague,
undefined focus. This have prevented the going of resolutions and developed
policies in women and conflicts which are very broad.
There are three major policy objectives, which were recommended: 1. Avoiding
a gendered peace. This objective proposes that the needs for men and women
should be addressed equally. This objective stresses the advantages of equal
opportunity for both men and women as it promotes positive peace. 2. This
objective is “to tackle entrenched violent and aggressive behaviour which is
rooted in forms of masculinity”. It argues that that working with women as
change agents in society improves the conditions of women and have positive out
come for peace building in general. 3. Working with men as change agents in the
society. This policy objective helps to ensure that men are involved in
peacebuilding like women and it challenges violent and aggressive aspects of
masculinity. It recommends that men be re-trained in key institution like
security to allow reform to take place. This training will inform men on gender
issues.
Roles Women Should Play in Post Conflict Reconstruction
To understand the role that women should play in post conflict situation is
largely situated in the roles they played before and during the conflict. In this
Unit, the use of the words- “roles” and “position” are loose and interchangeable.
There are two schools of thoughts that looked at the roles – one from the
structural functionality which sees the opportunity available to women to act
within, and the second is from the actor analysis perspective which looks at the
dynamics of women behavour during conflicts, which are not necessary defined
by the social structure, but the innate ability in the women and her choice to be
dynamic and make the best of the situation.
Maximize Women’s Security
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During conflicts, women are more exposed to insecurity because they are preoccupied with the children and cannot run away to safety. So in post conflict
situation, efforts should be made to enhance women’s physical security; food,
water housing and protection from violence, should be provided. Developing
women managed early warning and response process will help to alert security
agents to prevent any form of gender based violence. Women could play this
role very effectively, because, during conflict they had suffered one form of
insecurity or the other, therefore, they can work harder than non-victim who
never experienced any form of maltreatment or the other.
Women Restoring Civilians Security
Programs for restoring civilian security involving security sector reforms should
have more women participation. Women should be part of the training and
policing the community. Research has it that, he who feels if knows it. Women
should have suffered maltreatment “may very well be able to improve the
system, if they are actively involved in their planning, set up and
implementation”. (Bouta and Frerks 2002) Good example of conscious efforts
made to include women in post conflict reconstruction is in Kosovo, where 20%
of the new recruits were women, and in Cambodia, in the land mine clearance
and in Mali where women served as watch dogs in the Small Arms control.
Truth Processes and National Reconciliations
Truth and Reconciliation Commission are beginning to be parts of peace
processes in countries emerging from conflict. It helps to bring national
reconciliation and healing but sometimes, there are omissions of specific
consideration of violence against women. But there are changes and efforts are
made to correct these poor handlings. For example, women are having up more
responsibilities to better the lot of women. More women organizations are
encouraged to intervene and provide assistance to women. So, women can work
with these commissions to protect the lot of women.
Reducing Domestic Violence
During armed conflicts, women are victims of targeted aggression by different
warring factions. Currently there are up to hundred countries where situation
of armed conflict and war prevail, and where violence is being perpetrated
against women. Violence against women like sexual abuse treat as sex objects
and experiences are horrible, and to ensure attention to this issue, women have
to tell the stories and work hard to reduce it in post conflict situation. Women
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have been identifying all the manifestation of rape as a war crime, like rape,
sexual slavery, force pregnancy, prostitution.
“Every woman who has been a victim of sexual violence during the course
of armed conflict has her sense of justice. Women who have experience
sexual violence during armed conflict should be consulted in order to
determine the most appropriate remedies, otherwise, they
will be further disempowered” Indai Lourde Sajor(1999).
Train Women Activist and Women’s Organizers
In post conflict, women should be trained as activist. Women that will organized
other women to talk against conflict in the society and violence against women
and their children. They will also be trained as politicians. In Sierra Leone, a
remarkable women named Juliana has established a programme for young women
who were forced to sell sex to survive. It offers literacy and vocational training
combined with treatment for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). ‘Women
in crisis’ project has provided sorely needed moral support for hundred of
destitute women. Also, Indai Lourde Sajor is the Executive Directive of the
Asian Centre for Women’s Human Right, based in Manila Philippines over the last
30 years; she has been involved in issues relating to the human rights of women,
post conflict resolution, peace building and disarmament. She has been
particularly active in the work of the women’s movement to establish the
International Criminal Court. Indai has considerable experience of campaigning
on issues related to violence against women especially the issue of Asian
comfort women. She has launched several international campaigns on
accountability for human rights violations.
Socio-Economic and Political Program
In post conflict situation, women should work hard to improve on the economic
conditions of the communities and the provision of a long term financial
commitment and resource materials during post conflict provides a rare
opportunity for women not only to help change the economic conditions, but
emerging politics. Government should give women and women organizations the
support and resources they need to build peace. Women’s organization should be
supported politically, financially and technically in their efforts for long term
sustainable peace and development. They certainly will not receive their fair
share without deliberate planning and we see little evidence that this planning is
taking place.
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In Somalia members of women’s groups expressed frustration for the lack of
international assistance. One woman spoke out frankly,
“No one cares about us. The Somali Aid Coordination Body
does nothing for women. The United Nations are not
interested in contribute to the donor discussions and
decision on reconstruction project. How can we organize
ourselves and be expected to participate in reconstruction
and decision making if we have no support” Johnson Sirleaf
and Rehn (2002).
Trauma Counseling
Trauma counseling, particularly during and after conflict, is important because
conflict often traumatizes both women and men. Many people living in conflict
situations argue that their trauma is not over with the last bullet, indicating the
need for continuing assistance to traumatized victims of conflict well into the
post-conflict situation. For example, counseling and psycho-social rehabilitation
projects should be part of post conflict reconstruction. In various post conflict
situations victims show signs of trauma in depression and disability. Several
studies have pointed to difference between women and men in way in which the
deal with trauma, therefore, trauma management will be different, and women
have a great role to play in the management of trauma for fellow women
Support Non-War Activities
For most women, peace building encompasses a wide range of activities at the
community level. Women are involved in psychological program of healing,
reconciliation for victims and combatants. In Middle East and elsewhere, women
have initiated peace education and tolerance projects for schools and
community groups. They engage in cross community trusts and confidencebuilding programs. As Maiga (1999) explains, in Mali, women were directly
involved in building a national coalition to campaign against illicit arms. The
women initiated a regional meeting and signed a declaration to have an arms
moratorium. They used existing networks of church groups, women’s
associations and other civil society organizations to do this work.
In Cyprus for example, women are directly involved in running summer camps for
Greek and Turkish Cypriots, where through joint activities, workshops and
training sessions. In Sri Lanka, the women and “media collective” publish regular
articles in national newspapers commenting on and criticizing state policies and
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actions regarding the war agonist the Tamils and advocating non violence
resolution to the conflict.
Woman and Humanitarian Assistance
Women’s roles in humanitarian assistance programs is not probably their main
contribution to conflict prevention and post conflict resolution, but rather to
increase their participation in post conflict reconstruction effort.
The second reason is to address their directs needs and vulnerabilities in
conflict situation better, ensuring that women’s specific interest, for instance
the provision of food, water, shelter, protection, safety and medicine for
themselves, their children and the elderly are taken into account, and finally, to
ensure that humanitarian aid does not have counter productive efforts.
Tribunal and Legal Advice
Violations of human rights during conflicts attract tribunals after the wars.
War lord like Taylor is dragged to the court of justice to prosecute him for the
violations meted to innocent civilians, women and children. It is important that
in addressing these crimes, violations committed against women be brought out,
they should not be swept underneath. Women particularly find it difficult to
speak out or testify against the perpetrators, because of so many reasons.
Women require help to encourage them speak out and deal with trauma. Other
women who are a lot stable can become helpful with legal advice and social
structures that can assist women can be establish, and women work in these
centers.
Disengage Women from Conflict
More and more women are participating in conflicts as combatants, it is
therefore very important that women be disengaged from conflicts. Safe places
and voices for non-war activities should be provided for these women, so that
they can stay away from conflicts. The negative consequences of going into the
military should be emphasized, alternatives sources of income should be
emphasized and other forms of resolving the conflict instead of fighting should
be discussed. Women can spearhead this process.
Re-Integration of Female Ex-combatants.
In post conflict, re-integration of female ex-combatants should be handled
attentively because it is possible that they can be neglected. Most of that time,
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the demobilization program request a return of one’s guns for relief or
assistance, and women soldiers who have no guns could be neglected. So efforts
should be made to include these soldiers in the re-integration program, and
“establish support groups of female soldiers that have been in similar positions
in order to share traumatic experiences, and assist female soldiers in giving
access to property after they have returned home“ Bouta and Frerks, (2002)
Create Sustainable Women
Early intervention of reconstruction into women’s organization, the better will
be the out come of post conflict reconstruction. These intervention agencies
should support the old women organization, and new ones should be created.
These organizations provide a platform of action for the women in rebuilding
the society. These organizations help to promote sustainability as they con do a
lot of things, including socio political and economic programs. The organization
of women should form the center of recruitment of staff for the different
programs for reconstruction.
Testimonies of Women Efforts in Post Conflict Reconstructions.
Story telling is a learning methodology which has been adopted by peace
building, especially in Appreciative Inquiry model. It is a model that believes
that stories should be told. When people tell their experiences, it makes it easy
for people to identify with that situation. It humanizes the story and we can
place the face on the body, and the experience last longer. This Unit will deal
with testimonies of people who have done something to make post
reconstruction sustainable.
Demobilization:
Joining Hands in Collecting Small Arms: The Mali Experience
The war in Mali stated in 1990, taking a demoralisation tone, and the people
were not watchful to see the escalation. But since the end of the war, the
National Women’s Movement for the maintenance of Peace and National Unity
(MNFPW) offered a non violent approach.
“We try to humanise the conflict by bringing
the victims into focus. Wives of combatants were
taken to hospitals so that they can see first hand
the effects of their husbands’ work. We sent mission
to opinion leaders in order to alert them to the
destructive capacity of military action.”
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Mariam Djibrilla Maiga (1999)
The women believe that small Arms and Light Weapons proliferations is a
menace to peace, stability and security, therefore they were involved in the
demobilization of ex-combatants, organisation of peace rallies lobbying of
opinion leaders that has led to the destructions of arms, and we act as neutral
mediators.
Political Reconstruction of Rwanda
Rwanda suddenly became a household name in conflict because of the genocide
of 1994. This was a conscious effort to annihilate an ethnic group because of
long term hatred which led to the killing of the Rwandans by Rwandans
“In parliament we have set up our own forum,
to make women stronger and to make our voices heard.
We wanted to give a positive image to politics
and we wanted to ensure solidarity between women.
We wanted women to become more involved in decision
making bodies and to make sure there really would be
affirmative action. We wanted to make sure women
knew their rights and that they could teach their
children their rights”
Dr. Rose Makankomeje, MP (1999) the post genocide of 1994 was not left only
to the men. Women of that country played significant role in restructuring the
political structure of Rwanda.
“We decide that we wanted to participate
and build a lasting peace” (Makankomeje, 1999)
This decision was made after the immediate government formed only include
just two women out of the twenty-two Members of Parliament. The impacts of
this decision to get active were tremendous, and we have a total of thirteen
women were in the parliament, and their campaign for peace made UNESCO to
award the Peace Prize to ProFemmes in 1996. As at 1999 there were seven
women secretary General in the twenty ministries, and they are in important
ministries. The ministry for Family, was restructured to have levels of
relationships, and issues of concerns are discussed periodically, and there are
more women in local government offices.
“our experience has made us realise that when women
work together they can achieve significant result”.
Mukankomeje (1999).
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There are thirteen women parliament out of the seventy, and the women
formed “forum des femmes. Rwandaises” and Dr. Mukankomeje is the president.
Public Service: Strengthening Public Service
Women in the post conflict construction like Rwanda, DRC, Sierra Leone and
Liberia are seen very busy trying to strengthen the communities they find
themselves. Many of them are preoccupied with efforts to makes little income
to support their families. Women long on the hills and forest of Masisi and
Walikali, outside of Goma sea live wood to make income. The physical strain is so
much that the pregnant women loos their babies to miscarriages. Some of the
women spoken to in Somalia, said that they have to trek 3-4 days to get 20
litres of water and these further complicates their safety and security.
In maintenance Rwanda widows on the hill had to struggle to get water. One old
woman said:
“……..l am an old lady. I cannot go down to get water and walk up
again. I therefore have to ask a neighbour’s child to fetch water for me.
When the child is not available, I have to look for money in order to buy
water. I do not work, where do I get money from’ (Sir-leaf and Rehn
2002)
Women provide health care services at home. They spend time caring for family
members who are sick. In sub-Sahara Africa, the danger of HIV/AIDs is so
high so many reasons.
“In Sierra Leone a remarkable woman named Juliana has
established a programme for young women forced to sell sex to survive.
It offers literacy and vocational training combined with treatment for
sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The ‘Women in Crisis’ project has
provided sorely needed moral support for hundreds of destitute women,
but many told us that in the evening, after they attended their training,
they still have to prostitute themselves to get enough food to eat’
Community Service Reconstruction: Sierra Leone Experience
Martha Saldinger (1996) argues that the reconstruction of Sierra Leone
depends on its women and girls; also,
‘that humanitarian workers need to work with women in this time
of fragile peace, recognizing their dignity and humanity and giving them
the tools to protect themselves and their families’.
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She illustrated this argument with the story of one woman, "Sea Never Dry"
(her nick name) who struggled courageously to survive against the odds. She
struggled from sales of palm wine to prostitution and eventually, with micro
credit loan and training for a business. Sea seized the opportunity. With her
$100 loan, she purchased goods to start a "table market" at which she sells
food such as bananas, fresh fish, and other items. With that income she was
able to give up the work at the palm wine bar, although, she still practices her
commercials sex work, as at when needed, but Sea now insists that her clients
use condoms.
Although, women are always disregarded, they are key to Sierra Leone's future.
The fragile peace that has enabled there building process to take its first
steps forward will depend upon the well-being of women and girls with in their
households, their communities and the nation as a whole. We cannot over look
the
very
people
who
hold
the
future
in
their
hands.
Women and girls in Sierra Leone before the war faced significant challenges.
Girls begin at a young age to provide many life-sustaining activities for their
families, including hauling water, growing and preparing food, bearing and raising
children, and petty trading. With so many responsibilities, their enrollment
rates in primary education have consistently lower than boys, and they find it
harder to complete their secondary education due to family pressures and
limited economic resources.
In Peace Tables: Women Taking their Place at the Peace Table: The InterCongolese Peace Dialogue
According to Dr. Marjorie Jobson (2005), war is any country impact heavily on
the women, and very negatively too. But, there are arguments to develop a
gender sensitive post conflict restructure program for sustainable peace. This
formed the background for the inclusion of the women perspective in the peace
process in the Congolese peace talk, called the inter-Congolese Dialogue (ICD).
The women of DRC decided their determination to be part of the peace process
and reconstruction of Congo. They identify their role as “Mothers of the
nation” and as mediators in their respective families and custodians of the
tradition and valves of the people, they declared that “This is our right, our
duty and our responsibility” (Jobson 2005) they identified the requirements for
peace to be:
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That all hostilities should be halted and all foreign troops immediately
withdrawn from the country;

That the country should be reunited and its territorial integrity
respected;

That CEDAW should be adopted as the basis for the elimination of
discrimination against women;

That affirmative action should be instituted across the inter-Congolese
Dialogue process

Those women’s organizations should be included in the implementation of
all emergency humanitarian programmes.

That demobilized child soldiers should be reintegrated and rehabilitated
; and

That the needs of women, children and other vulnerable groups should be
prioritized in the agenda of the inter-Congolese Dialogue to avoid
impurity for all criminal acts.
With the agenda developed by the women, the next stage was to mobilize the
women and the civil society organizations with the help of the Director of the
Center for peace and Disarmament in Africa Dr. Jean- Jacques Purusi Sadiki,
the Center approached the Africa Institute of Faith Africa and All African
Women for Peace to help in the organization of the conference on armed
conflict on the eve of the (ICD) conference. At the end of the conference, they
jointly proposed the following projects, after series of meetings and planning
identified that will enhance the role of women in peace building in Africa:
 To provide an opportunity for an assessment of women’s present status
in society and the main problems they face, given the reality that women
in many African countries have no or few mechanisms for stating their
views. An important aspect would be the determination of which issues
affecting women, prevent peace in the DRC;

To conduct participatory research with women in the DRC, in both urban
and rural settings, to develop a gender critique of the institutions and
mechanisms that currently exist for women’s projection and the
advancement of their status in the society. This would require a review of
national, regional and international mechanisms for the protection of
women and the extent to which they had been implemented. Whether
these mechanisms had been effective in meeting the needs of women and
in ensuring justice for women, or whether conditions continued to provide
for impurity; and finally

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
To identify and evaluate program which are presently in place and how
they have affected by the levels of militarization in the country.
Conclusion
This essay has shown reasons women should be included in post conflict
reconstructions and also identified challenges that must be tackled for
effective inclusions of women in reconstruction of the society, especially in post
war situations. It is very correct to say that women do have roles in post
conflict reconstruction and they have stories to tell of how well they are doing.
The different testimonies have shown that women have success stories that
have been documented and many more that can be documented. It is very
evident that there are specific activities that women can be pre-occupied with
in post conflict reconstruction. If these activities or roles are not taken care
of, there will be lapses in the sustainable reconstruction of the post war
society. So, there is no question about the relevance of women in post conflict
reconstruction.
Summary
In summary, it is very evident, that women can do well in post conflict
reconstruction, but it is important to know that women still have problems been
part of the reconstruction. Therefore, we use this medium to advocate for
more opportunities for women inclusion in reconstructing war torn societies.
The inclusion of women in post conflict reconstructions is a must if we are
honest about achieving positive peace in the post war situation. Women can play
and do play many helpful roles that must be harnessed for sustainable peace.
The intervention options present for women in post conflict situation ins linked
to the seven mayor roles of women in conflict so, women organization and
individual women have roles to play in post conflict reconstruction and
therefore must be included.
References
Mukankomeje (1999). ‘Women and Political Reconstruction in Rwanda’ in Women,
Violent Conflict and Peacebuilding Global Perspective, International Alert.
London. UK
Johnson Sirleaf and Rehn (2002). Women War Peace: The Independent Experts’
Assessment. UNDP, NY
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Maiga (1999) ‘Joining Hands in Collecting Small Arms: The Mali Experience’ in
Women, Violent Conflict and Peacebuilding Global Perspective, International
Alert. London. UK
Jobson (2005) ‘In Peace Tables: Women Taking their Place at the Peace Table:
The Inter-Congolese Peace Dialogue’ in African women for Peace: Gender
Justice in Post- Conflict Countries in East, Central and Southern Africa. Center
for Human Rights, University of Pretoria.
Saldinger M. (1996) ‘Women are key to Sierra Leone's future’
www. AlertNet.com
Tsjeard Bout and Georg Frerks (2002) Women’s Roles in Conflict Prevent, Conflict
Resolution and Conflict Reconstruction: Literature Review and Institutional Analysis.
Conflict Research Unit of the Netherlands Institute of International relations,
Clingendael
Indai Lourde Sajor (1999). ‘Violence Against Women in Times of War’ in
Women, Violent Conflict and Peacebuilding Global Perspective, International
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