RE-THINKING WOMEN IN PEACEBUILDING

Abstract: The debate on the inclusion of women in peacebuilding has hit the scholarship field and received wide attention in the last years. There is a greater understanding of the significance from including women in the peacebuilding process. Most existing research focuses on the inclusion of women in the peace process. This thesis also took the same direction but diverged in using postcolonial theories to examine the inclusive nature of the peacebuilding. It dissected on the challenges hindering women from actively participating in the peace process. The thesis is based on a case study of the 2007 post-election violence that occurred in Kenya. The study has utilized qualitative method of research to help in answering its research questions. The study aims to contribute to the understanding of the roles women are playing in the peace process but also the efforts NGOs are putting across to ensure effective and active participation of women in attaining sustainable positive peace. The target group were women who were present during the post-election violence and peacebuilding organizations working with women towards peace achievement. Data was collected through Skype and WhatsApp call interviews complemented with secondary sources. Even though the analysis was done from a different geographical location, the voices of the Kenyan women are the ones speaking out and guiding this thesis. Through the findings, it was evident that the arguments made by feminist scholars like Mohanty and Spivak critiquing the representation of the “third world” subjects are proven by the interviewees. The findings also indicated that women are involved in all types of the peace processes both formally and informally. It also specified that even though women face several challenges, they use all the avenues and possibilities within the setting of “their roles” to be part of the attainment of the desired peace needed in the society.