Role of gender dynamics in sustainable peace-building: Challenges faced by Muslim women
Eaisha Tareen*
Year 2015 will mark the fifteenth anniversary of the landmark United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 adopted in 2000 on Women, Peace and Security. This resolution affirms the importance of ‘women’s participation and the inclusion of gender perspectives in peace negotiations, humanitarian planning, peace-keeping operations, post-conflict peace building and governance’ (UN Women n.d.). Subsequent resolutions also focus on the need to address women’s participation in peace processes and peacebuilding along with the need to protect them from violation of their rights during and after conflict (Ibid.).

These resolutions have sparked a flurry of activity at both national and international levels: policy committees and working groups have been formed, campaigns have been launched, research and surveys have been conducted. However, according to Dekha Ibrahim, ‘Participation in a peace process is not about the mathematics of numbers and percentages in relation to who is in majority or minority. It is about plurality, diversity, participation and ownership of all affected by the conflict…’ (Herbolzheimer 2011, p. 3). In other words, sustainable peacebuilding involves efforts for ‘peace beyond the negotiating table’, it involves moving ‘beyond quotas to meaningful participation’ and it involves working towards ‘broader issues of social justice’ (Conciliation Resources 2013, p. 6).

This paper examines one of the factors crucial to building sustainable peace – gender dynamics. It looks at how an understanding of gender relations in a society is vital in efforts to ensure women’s effective participation in the peace process which in turn is a prerequisite for sustainable peace (Conciliation Resources 2013, p. 8). The ‘power dynamics between men and women’ underlie ‘many of the challenges’ faced by women, both in times of peace and conflict (Ibid.). Research has shown how conflict impacts gender relations and roles, often leading to traditional gender roles being challenged, with the concomitant implications which may or may not extend into peace time. Some ‘studies have found a statistical correlation between countries’ peacefulness and their levels of gender equality’ (Wright 2013, p.1). However, the ‘nature of the relationship’ is ‘unclear’: one view is that ‘gender inequality’ is ‘a structural risk factor for conflict’, while another is that ‘conflict exacerbates gender inequality’ (Wright 2013, p. 1-2).

This paper looks at the specific challenges faced by women in Muslim societies where overarching gender inequality permeates all spheres of life. Their biggest obstacle to challenging this inequality lies in its sanctification in the religious tradition. In recent decades Muslim women scholars have challenged traditional exegesis of the scripture and proposed alternative interpretations in line with the Qur’anic concept of gender justice, which is an integral part of social justice. I consider some of these interpretations and examine how these scholars have theorised gender equality and gender relations. Although reinterpreting the Qur’an from a female perspective is not enough to bring about much needed gender reform in Muslim societies, it can redress the balance that has traditionally tilted heavily towards men in gender discourse and praxis.

References

Conciliation Resources 2013, ‘Women Building Peace’, Accord Insight-An International Review of Peace Initiatives, Conciliation Resources, UK,
<http://www.c-r.org/sites/default/files/AccordInsight_WomenBuildingPeace_WomenBuildingPeace_0.pdf>, accessed 14 October 2014.

Herbolzheimer, K. 2011, ‘Muslim Women in Peace Processes-Reflections for Dialogue in Mindanao’, Discussion Paper, Conciliation Resources, UK, <http://www.c-r.org/sites/default/files/Muslim%20women%20(1).pdf>, accessed 14 October 2014.

UN Women n.d., ‘Global Norms and Standards’, What we do-Peace and Security,                  <://comms-authoring.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/peace-and-security/global-norms-and-standards>, accessed 14 October 2014.

Wright, H, 2013, Gender, Peace and Security and post-2015 framework.Expert Group Meeting. UN Women in collaboration with ECLAC, October 2013
http://www.unwomen.org/~/media/Headquarters/Attachments/Sections/CSW/58/EP2-Hannah-Wright%20pdf.pdf
* Dr. Eaisha Tareen is a clinical psychologist in Colchester, UK. Her doctorate from the University of Essex is in the area of social support and mental health in Pakistani women. She has a special interest in Islam and gender; and, women’s issues. She did her Masters in Islamic Studies from Birkbeck College, University of London.