Conflict Resolution from a Feminist Perspective

Kamala Sarup, USA

Some feminists argue:  since the use of force, internal and external, can only exacerbate the conflict, all efforts should be made to establish the dialogue and to provide a peaceful solution to the conflict by the use of political, economic and social means. Thus, Conflict resolution, in feminist’s terms, should include, the outcome should address the underlying problems or issues, rather than just symptoms or surface manifestations of the conflict, it should be jointly determined; and  the process should achieve at least some degree of satisfaction for the parties concerned.

Jacklyn Cock, Sociology Professor at Wits University, Johannesburg, said "When we stand for peace as women, it is not to make a case for our special victim hood, but to represent a different vision of strength. To defend those values, we need not just women’s voices against the war, but specifically feminist voices. For feminism allows us to analyze patriarchy, the constellation of values, ideas and beliefs that reinforces male control over women. feminists tend to agree on the fact that gender inequalities exist and need to be eradicated; and on the need to develop theoretical frameworks and political strategies that will emerge from and have resonance for women’s lives".

She further argue ""The work of women in peace groups is presupposed, it is invisible, trying, women’s work; it’s a part of ‘our’ role; to care for others, to comfort, aid, tend wounds, and feed. The painful realization that the peace movement would to some extent also follow a patriarchal model caused a serious dilemma for feminist-pacifists. We wanted our presence to be visible.  We are the group of women who believe that solidarity is one of the deepest values of our existence, that active solidarity between women is the force and the tenderness by which we can overcome isolation, loneliness, traumas and other consequences of hatred".

For many women in the peace movements of the ‘60s, and 70s, feminist consciousness was sparked by increasing recognition of the sexism of the male leadership in the peace movement itself. In the past decade, however, feminist peace activists have insisted that the role gender plays in both the escalation and the de-escalation of conflicts depends on the particular historical, cultural and sociopolitical context as well as on the conceptual framework one utilizes to explore the gendered dimensions of serious political conflicts.

From a feminist perspective , involves a conflict resolution style that can be easily recognized as compatible with female values and goals.  This description of female values in dealing with conflict mirrors the goals of mediation. The mediation adopts the female values of supporting, maintaining, and enhancing communication between the disputants.

Feminists in particular, in the field of conflict resolution have been raising similar questions. These questions have prompted numerous attempts to introduce feminist perspectives to the study and practice of conflict resolution. For example, while Marxist feminists believe that capitalism is the source of women’s oppression. Radical feminists have identified patriarchy as the major structure that upholds women’s oppression through legal, economic, social and cultural institutions and practices. Socialist feminists have attempted to weave these various approaches together into a more comprehensive explanation of women’s oppression that provides a women’s standpoint for struggle which is also attuned to other dimensions of domination.

Nepalese Women and Armed Conflict

Speaking to this scribe at New Jercy, feminist peace activist Dr. Nanya Sharma said " Women make an important but often unrecognized contribution as peace educators both in their families and in their societies. In addressing arm conflict, an active and visible policy of mainstreaming a gender perspective into all policies and programmes should be promoted so that before decisions are taken an analysis is made of the effects on women and men, respectively".

Nepalese Women are the main innocent victims of the armed conflict, started in 1996. Nepali women are starving, they are beaten and tortured.  Most often, because the structure of Nepali society and Nepali social norms and values have been shaped by centuries of patriarchy, women find themselves in a disadvantaged position vis-à-vis men. Most Nepalese women do not have the earning power men enjoy, nor, do they have the same negotiating experience as men.

Women in Nepal always have to bear a disproportionate burden of poverty and they have painful experience arising from the uncontrolled flows of arms. Women living in poverty, particularly rural women, also suffer because of the use of arms that are particularly injurious or have indiscriminate effects.

Feminist peace educator Sudha from New York said, " We can not forget how women and children are particularly affected by the indiscriminate use of anti-personnel land-mines". She pointed out that there are existing mechanisms for dealing with anger and suffering that we need to use and practice in order to achieve a just and lasting peace.

Feminist based research center’s activist from Arlington Radha KC said "Women must be empowered at all levels of decision- making,  both at the pre-conflict stage as well as at the point of peacekeeping, peace-building, reconciliation and reconstruction".

She said, "Nepali organizations should promote peaceful conflict resolution and peace, reconciliation and tolerance through education, training, community actions and youth exchange programmes, in particular for young women. Nepalese women organizations should recognize that Peace is inextricably linked with equality between women and men because Nepalese women and children have been most affected by the conflict".

Dr. Nanya Sharma further addedd " Even in Nepal, historic decision by RNA, to induct women in the armed, non-technical positions including the military police, is a major victory for Nepalese women. We should remember that a number of countries have taken steps to increase the number of women in their armed forces in recognition of the right of women to participate in their nation’s military. The changing role of the military in some countries, and at the international level in particular, is moving towards the prevention of conflict, securing of peace, and the reconstruction of countries after wars and natural disasters.

Lasting Peace

Women are excellent teachers of peace in this process that will evolve into a balanced, healthy, integrated, and just society.

Feminist activist Ann White said "The dialogue established by women groups can be an important instrument and a qualitative tool for national political efforts for the peaceful resolution of conflicts. We seek an alternative power principle of empowerment in community rather than power over and disabling of others. Feminism today sees its links with the cause of human survival and the survival of the planet itself. And we need to remind the world that modern warfare never spares the civilian population.

We need a feminist voice for peace to say that those who truly care about life and freedom will work to support. A feminist voice for peace must identify and address the root causes of war. "Peace" cannot be separated from justice, including economic justice. And real security can only come when we weave a new global web of mutual aid and support".

White further added, "All strategies for the conflict prevention and resolution should be forward looking and long-term oriented. Confidence building also requires political and legal measures such as legal and economic provisions for the return of refugees and displaced persons. It can be successful only if the political will for it exists on both sides".

In the comparison of the ways that conflicts were started in Nepal, the same pattern was discovered: political power struggle, also the main victims in the region were the same: civilians and women.

She said " Women are the targets of particular types of criminal violence, often involving small arms. There are a number of kinds of violence where women are more likely to be victims because they are women. Yet, given the present state of power relations in the field and in the broader political context, this recognition may be an important step toward making the field more hospitable to women establishing the legitimacy of feminist theorizing in conflict resolution. There is, however, a growing understanding of the role of women in conflict resolution and the specific skills and abilities they bring to the decision-making process".

Women and feminists in conflict resolution would be wise to treat the seductive use of liberal rhetoric in the form of invitations to a supposedly open dialogue on the potential contributions of feminism to conflict resolution with caution and suspicion.  Feminist’s perspectives to conflict resolution is true nonviolence must be based, first of all, on a secure sense of one’s own value as a human being. Feminism fundamentally rejects the concept of power which says that one side’s victory must be the other side’s defeat.

Nepali origin from New Delhi, Dr. Sulochana is currently in the US for a peace advocacy program stated, "To date women’s views on the conflict and their solutions to it have not been heard nor have women been involved in initiatives to bring the sides together.  We should Include women on both government as well as Maoist’s negotiating teams and we should build women’s leadership from the grassroots to the national level. We should increase women’s participation in politics and at the decision-making level. 

If women are to play an equal part in securing and maintaining peace, they must be empowered politically and economically and represented adequately at all levels of decision-making. The equal access and full participation of women in power structures and their full involvement in all efforts for the prevention and resolution of conflicts are essential for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security. In Nepal of continuing instability and violence, the implementation of cooperative approaches to peace and security is urgently needed.

(Kamala Sarup is a doctoral student and can be reached at kamalasarup@yahoo.com )

Headline | Opinion | Dateline | 5 Question  | Editorial | Letter | 2nd Impression | Views | International | Past