Women and Nation-Building

Abstract

The RAND Corporation is a nonprofit research organization providing objective analysis and effective solutions that address the challenges facing the public and private sectors around the world. R AND's publications do not necessarily reflect the opinions of its research clients and sponsors.R ® is a registered trademark. © Copyright 2008 RAND CorporationAll rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form by any electronic or mechanical means (including photocopying, recording, or information storage and retrieval) without permission in writing from RAND. iii PrefaceThis monograph presents the findings of the RAND Corporation's Women and Nation Building Project, which is designed to assess the multilayered development of women's diverse roles in the post-conflict context. The principal task of this study was an overarching consideration of women and nation-building, an exceedingly complex task which was simplified by our ability to use examples from the recent nation-building activities in Afghanistan. Those examples provided several pragmatic points for consideration. Our findings should prove useful and interesting to policymakers, practitioners, and scholars concerned with both the academic and the pragmatic implementation of a more-engendered approach to nation-building. Comments from readers are welcome and can be addressed to the lead author or the center directors listed below.

Gender Role Attitudes: Who Supports Expanded Rights for Women in Afghanistan?

“…Gender has thus been one of the most politicized issues in Afghanistan over the past 100 years, and attempts at reform have been denounced by opponents as unIslamic and a challenge to the sanctity of the faith and family. (p. 6) Benard et al (2008) and Zulfacar (2006) outline the general themes of Afghanistan's gender policies in four contemporary eras. According to them, early reforms aimed at improving women's status, instituted by King Amanallah in the late 1920s, met with fierce resistance from the tribes.…”

Combating Terrorism via the Womb: Empowering Iraqi Women

“…In a volatile society, Iraq needs hope that future generations will continue to seek the betterment of their country. In the book "Women and Nation-Building," the authors postulate that "women in Afghanistan are one of the greatest potential sources of peace and security" 26 A common fear in insurgencies is that the insurgents have easy access to unemployed, disenfranchised youth. Osama Bin Laden highlights that "people between the ages of 15 and 25 are the segment that can contribute and engage in jihad…we have no one else to turn to after Almighty God except the youths, who have not been burdened by the problems of the world."…”

“…In the book "Women and Nation Building" the authors, "encourage those involved in nation-building to focus on creating a clear institutional understanding of their goals with regard to women that is transparent to outside parties and national actors alike." 41 In order for educational, training and micro-lending programs to be effective in the long-term, Iraq will need both governmental and community level buy-in to support the advancement of females in their society. In addition, nation builders should encourage men and women to work side-by-side while making decisions at all levels of society to include areas typically dominated by men."…”

“…In addition, nation builders should encourage men and women to work side-by-side while making decisions at all levels of society to include areas typically dominated by men." 42 While Iraq is immersed in its recovery stage, nation builders can greatly influence the long lasting success of the promotion of women issues by educating and encouraging the men to want to choose economic advancement via the empowerment of their women. Programs in Iraq can gain better traction at the grassroots level if respected local leaders in the community openly support the programs.…”

“…104 The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) research highlights that "educated women are more likely to lead healthier lives and are better able to advocate for themselves and their children and to contribute to the economic and political fabric of society." 105 There are many familial, social, religious, and cultural constraints placed on women which stifle economic and social progress. 106 establish campuses in the Middle East to educate both men and women.…”