1. Gender and Conflict Chris Coulter, PhD chris.coulter@gov.se

2. Soldiers

12. Men = War Men = Soldiers Women = Peace Women = Victims

13. Women’s and men’s roles often polarized and politicized in war and conflict

14. When Women Fight “Their female accomplices were almost more terrifying, covered from head to foot in black, their veils bearing Islamic slogans, their waists wrapped with belts full of explosives” (BBC 2002-12-16)

15. Black Diamond and her comrades may look like any bunch of street-wise girls with attitude but they have the military hardware to back up the look.” (BBC 2003-08-26)

17. Systematic use of rape and other forms of sexual abuse a strategy of war Why? What happens to the perpetrators? What happens to the victims? How do people talk about it? What do you think should be done about it?

18. Ending conflict – Negotiating peace – where are the women?

19. More than 50 percent of peace agreements fail within five years of signature. In part, this is because negotiations and accords often do not address the underlying causes of conflict or seek to prevent its resurgence. It is also because talks suffer from the absence of women In 31 major peace processes between 1992 and 2011, women were only 2.4 % of mediators, 4 % of signatories, and 9 % of negotiators.

20. ‘Results on Women and Gender’ Briefing Paper. Centre on Conflict, Development and Peacebuilding. Geneva: The Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (2015) Quality of inclusion more important than quantity. Numbers are not all that matter. Not enough to increase number of women, but their ability to exercise influence. Quality participation by women’s groups is correlated with positive implementation outcomes. Inclusion of women’s groups is correlated with much higher rates of implementing peace and other political agreements.

21. Women’s inclusion does not only take place at the negotiation table. Inclusion can take place during all phases of the process and at varying distances from the table

22. Women’s groups need to be part of decision-making bodies within inclusion modalities. Gender quotas are important for the selection of both mediators and involved groups. Preparedness of women’s groups is important. Supporting women’s groups alone is not sufficient. Monitoring achievements is key The overall level of violence can have a negative impact on women’s inclusion.

23. DDR Disarmament Demobilization Reintegration

24. UN Security Council Resolution 1325 §13 Encourages all those involved in the planning for disarmament, demobilization and reintegration to consider the different needs of female and male ex-combatants and to take into account the needs of their dependants

25. The Cape Town Principles ”Child soldier” means any person under 18 years of age who is part of any kind of regular or irregular armed force or armed group in any capacity, including but not limited to cooks, porters, messengers, and those accompanying such groups, other than purely as family members. It includes girls recruited for sexual purposes and forced marriage. It does not, therefore, only refer to a child who is carrying or has carried arms.

26. Aims of DDR 1.collect, register, and destroy all conventional weapons 2.demobilize combatants 3.reintegrate ex-combatants

27. Sierra LeoneLiberia 72,500 combatants demobilized 90,532 combatants demobilized 4,751 (6.5%) women22,370 (25%) women 6,845 child soldiers demobilized 10,963 child soldiers demobilized 506 (7.4%) girls2,440 (22%) girls

28. Current challenges Narrow definition of “ex-combatant” - Exclusion of Supporters & Dependants (Women & Girls) Scarce Resources - Limit the target to “men with guns” Short-term Security Focus - Insufficient long-term & multi-dimensional Perspectives

29. Reasons for women’s exclusion from DDR Invisible & Multiple Roles Hard to Identify and Reach May not fit “ex-combatant” definition Roles of combatant, supporter and dependent are fluid Patriarchal Traditional Norms Women not at Peace Table Women not Encouraged to Participate Self-reintegration

30. Gender Responsive DDR – 7 Key Steps 1. Gender Mainstreaming 2. Female-Specific Eligibility Criteria 3. Gender-Responsive Need Assessment 4. Programme Design 5. Gender Training 6. Gender Responsive Budget 7. Gender Responsive M&E

31. Gender responsive DDR 1. Does she possess any type of weapon? Eligible for disarmament 2. Was the use of weapons an important part of her job? 3. Does she have any experiences of using weapons? / Did she undergo any weapons training Eligible for demobilisation 4. Did she perform essential support functions during the conflict? 5. Is she socially and financially dependent on a male ex- combatant? Eligible for Reintegration YES NO

32. Gender Responsive Needs Assessment Before the assessment: 1.Collaborate with women’s groups 2.Ensure that at least 30% are women in any decision making body & transitional government 3.Use participatory methods to increase women’s participation

33. What to Assess: 1. Gender composition of armed groups 2. Socio-economic/political status 3. Gendered Division of Labor 4. Capacities of Local Women’s Groups 5. Level of Gender-Based Violence 6. Specific needs of Female Ex-combatants, Supporters, Dependents

34. Programme Design - Disarmament Information Campaign to reach women and women’s NGOs – community mobilization Female Staff at the weapon collection sites Collect women’s knowledge of trading routes & hidden SALW

35. Programme Design - Demobilization Separate accommodation & ablution areas for women and men Counseling by female staff Reproductive health care Separate transportation facilities Gender Training (both men and women)

36. Programme Design – Economic Reintegration Vocational & Literacy Trainings with Childcare Services Women’s Access to land & credit Sensitization of community and potential employers Coordination with development agencies ex. livelihood programmes

37. Programme Design – Social Reintegration Understand changed and unchanged gender roles and relations in post conflict societies Community-based reintegration rituals Long-term psychological rehabilitation Support women to cope with sick, injured, traumatized and HIV positive combatants, especially in contexts with high numbers of CAFFs

38. Gender Training Gender training Gender roles and Identities GBV Gender and HIV/trafficking Ex-Combatants, Supporters, Dependants Community Members Programme Staff Government

39. Gender Responsive DDR Appropriate Service Delivery Gender Training Gender Specialists Gender Responsive Needs Assessment & Programme Design Gender Responsive M&E Gender Responsive Budget Donor Support Coordina- tion Mechanism with CSOs Commitment to UNSCR 1325

40. Gender Responsive Budget Need to specify the costs of: 1. Female Specific Activities 4. Unit Cost By Gender 2. Gender Training 3. Gender Specialists Information Sharing with Gender Advisor & Women’s NGOs Gender Responsive Budget

41. Monitoring & Evaluation Assess Gender Equity in DDR & Gendered Impact of DDR Transfer Lessons learned to future programmes Disaggregate Data by Sex Create Gender-Related & Female-Specific Indicators

42. M&E Indicators Sample Indicators No of gender trainings conducted in each demobilization camp % of male and female ex- combatants who have attended gender training in each camp % of female ex-combatants who have used reproductive health care service in each camp % change in the number of female ex-combatants and supporters who initiated and are maintaining income generating activities