Fused in combat: Gender relations and armed conflict

Abstract

Do gender relations change through conflict? How might conflict itself be fuelled by aspects of gender identity? A recently completed research project that combined oral testimony with more conventional research methods concluded that conflict has undoubtedly given women greater responsibilities, and with them the possibility of exerting greater leverage in decision making and increasing their political participation. The research sheds light on the role of ordinary citizens as 'actors' responding to crisis, and describes how gender identities are woven into a complex web of cause and effect in which war can be seen as a 'conflict of patriarchies'.

Mental health and adaptation of young Liberians in post-conflict Liberia: a key informant's perspective

“…In post-conflict conditions, young people are deeply affected by the lack of resources and institutions; the young suffer from the breakdown of their norms (El-Bushra, 2003). Hence, the dynamics of trauma from the violence and chaos of civil war continue to plague Liberia's young population.…”

Sierra Leone's Child Soldiers: War Exposures and Mental Health Problems by Gender

“…[25] These findings underscore how sensitivity to gender is critical to understanding war experiences and post-conflict reintegration of child soldiers, and for developing effective interventions. [9, 16, 20, 27]…”

Understanding Early Marriage and Transactional Sex In the Context of Armed Conflict: Protection at a Price

“…12 Similarly, in Northern Uganda, transactional sex was used as a survival strategy when farming was not viable. 11 In times of conflict, avoiding starvation and destitution of the family is likely to be given precedence over young women's sexual and reproductive health. Even in refugee camps, systems for distribution of food and other essentials are often controlled by maledominated committees whose members may abuse their authority and demand sexual services in return for access to goods; 32 inadequate or inconsistent food distribution systems may therefore force women to resort to survival sex.…”