Does inclusion equal substance? assessing women's participation in peace processes : 2001-2022

Abstract

Even though there has been burgeoning literature on women's participation in peacebuilding since the adoption of the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325, more studies are needed to determine the extent of women's substantive inclusion in peace processes.

This study examines how women are included in peace processes in ways that allow them to make a substantive contribution. The study also analyses African conflicts in which women were involved as mediators or in any other substantive way, capturing their participation broadly within the peace processes. A purposive sample of illustrative cases from the continent is selected between 2001, when the UNSCR 1325 was adopted, and 2022, when the study ends. These case studies encompass the following regions: Central, West, the Horn of Africa, North East and East Africa and include the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC,) Central African Republic (CAR,) Liberia, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Kenya, Uganda, and Burundi. The research evaluates women's substantive participation in peace processes using the following criteria: representation, recognition, incorporation, a clear women’s agenda, access, advocacy, and support. The study demonstrates that while including women and engaging in peace processes is critical to ensuring gender equality and sustainable peace, inclusion alone does not always guarantee significant participation. The study interrogates the concepts of inclusion, substantive versus descriptive participation, and formal and informal tracks involving women in peace processes. Keywords: women, participation, inclusion, substantive, descriptive, mediation, Track II, presence.