Gender and Conflict: Women as Peacemakers in Patriarchal societies

In any conflict, media or influential groups often frames women either as a grieving mother, wife, daughter or a displaced individual. Yet beyond this patriarchal mindset, many women in conflict zones managed to break these gender related stereotypes and emerged as the most effective peacemakers and political advocates. The misogynistic and patriarchic views often regards women as an outsider or passive subjects in international politics undermining their potential to resolve global disputes and an ability to bring long-term peace. This exclusion of women from battlefield creates a paradox where women were seen as non combatants and perceived as less threatening than men, which can not only give them access to enemy lines but also to initiate a dialogue.

As we have witnessed how women's collective movement in Columbia led to negotiations for a humanitarian corridors. Similarly, In Northern Ireland when men led negotiations failed, women came forward to push for a Good Friday Agreement.

Their method is more effective because it goes beyond formal diplomacy which focuses on power sharing mechanism and territorial control, women led mediation often focus on issues necessary for human survival such as water, food security and displaced people. But their mediation skills must not be relate with their nature because it's the patriarchal mindset that assign them these community related tasks to confined their diverse skills. Feminist scholars say not to glorify it because associating the label "natural peacemakers" to women can reinforces the same gender norms and essentialism that is the core reason of their exclusion. The UNSC resolution 1325 calls for women participation in peace processes. But despite several years have passed, only 10% of mediators in formal peace processes are women.

If peace is the ultimate goal than it cannot be negotiated by very actors that instigate war. It must include those who are trying to keep society together while it is falling apart.