The Impact of Armed Conflict on Women and Girls - UNFPA

Walking the painful path <strong>of</strong> conflict and change, women have learned that
restructuring, rehabilitation and reconciliation constitute a slow process. <strong>The</strong>y
are ready to take up the challenges <strong>of</strong> being key actors in rebuilding civil
societies on more equitable and democratic bases.
This paper outlines the main socio-economic effects <strong>of</strong> conflict and
reconstruction on gender; assesses the roles <strong>of</strong> women’s NGOs and identifies
their aims, strategies and challenges in rehabilitation, reconstruction and
rebuilding <strong>of</strong> conflict-torn societies; highlights women’s initiatives for transforming
conflict; and formulates proposals for action.
Gender and <strong>Conflict</strong>
“Gender” is a term used to connect social roles and interactions between
women and men. Gender roles are a set <strong>of</strong> social norms for the behaviour <strong>of</strong>
men and women, assigned on the basis <strong>of</strong> class, race, ethnicity, culture, age and
religious beliefs. It is through gender roles, that women and men perceive their
social identities and relationships, both to each other and to their communities.
Gender implies social placement which, in turn, implies a pattern <strong>of</strong> dominance
and subordination, <strong>of</strong>ten placing men in control and keeping women in
subordinate and supportive roles. In accordance with their roles, men feel
entitled to dominant positions in the family, work and political life. In many parts
<strong>of</strong> the world, men have de facto authority to control or influence decisions about
war and peace, legal protection and punishment, political leadership, funds
allocation and the control <strong>of</strong> resources.
<strong>Armed</strong> conflict is not gender neutral because:
• Women and men experience conflicts differently, both as victims and as
perpetrators;
• Women and men differ in their access to resources during armed conflict,
including power and decision-making efforts;
• Men and women have different roles and relationships to peace-building and
violence reduction;
• Women and men have different needs, interests and strategies in peacebuilding.
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